Estelle Caldwell Fletcher; Pioneer in Ministry to Deaf

Estelle Caldwell Fletcher, 91, a pioneer in ministry to the deaf and mother of actress Louise Fletcher. Mrs. Fletcher worked with her husband, the Rev. Robert C. Fletcher, at deaf ministries in Alabama from 1929 to 1972. Their daughter brought them international attention by using sign language to speak to her parents during her acceptance of the 1976 best actress Oscar for her role as Nurse Ratchet in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” On Monday in Alexandria, Va.