Jim Allen

Hester Rumberg is an experienced ocean sailor, with thousands of nautical miles under her belt. When the tragedy befell the crew of the Melinda Lee, together with Judith Sleavin, she established The Sleavin Family Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting maritime safety throughout the world.

In her other life, Dr Rumberg is a Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist.

Hester was, and will always be, the godmother of Annie Rose Sleavin.

Author Hester Rumberg died unexpectedly in her sleep on Sunday, June 26, 2011 while visiting family in Toronto. Her loving heart and joyful spirit touched people wherever she traveled. Always thoughtful of others, Hester served up her boundless love with graciousness, generosity and style. Born August 7, 1947 in Winnipeg Manitoba, graduate of the Universities of Manitoba and Washington and a Board-Certified Oral/Maxillofacial Radiologist, Dr. Rumberg taught on the faculty of Oral Medicine at the School Of Dentistry from 1983 to 1998 receiving noteworthy adoration from her students. An experienced offshore sailor, Capt. Rumberg skippered her small sailboats to Hawaii, remote islands, New Zealand and Australia. Treasured friend of the Sleavin family, Hester changed the direction of her life when their family suffered a tragedy at sea. She and Judith Sleavin established the Sleavin Family Foundation, promoting maritime safety. Hester's widely praised book, "Ten Degrees of Reckoning", the story of that disaster at sea, stands as a remarkable tribute to the resilience of not only the Sleavins but to her own courageous choices in life. Daughter of Betty and the late Joseph Rumberg. Sister and sister-in-law of Susan and Alan Roadburg, and the late, Ross Rumberg. A Memorial Service and burial were held in Toronto at Beth Tikvah Synagogue and Pardes Shalom Cemetery on Wednesday, June 29th.