Our Mother passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on July 8, 2009 at Steinbach Bethesda Hospital at the age of 85 years. Mom was born March 4, 1924 in Naumowka, Russia to Isaac P and Maria Friesen. She immigrated to Canada in 1926 with her family. They settled in Ste. Elizabeth, MB. and this is where she grew up. Mom was baptized upon her confession of faith on June 13, 1943 in the Ste. Elizabeth Lichtenau Church. When Mom left Ste. Elizabeth she was employed at various jobs in Winnipeg and at Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON where she built many lasting friendships. On August 1, 1953 Mom married our father Cornelius Esau, the love of her life, in Ste. Elizabeth, Man. They settled on the family farm where they raised their four children. This is where she taught us family values and how to work. We have many wonderful memories of working and playing together. In 1981 Mom and Dad moved to 375 Henry St. in Steinbach. This is the home where the grandchildren spent a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa. They played many a card game with their grandparents. Mom spent countless hours at the Steinbach MCC Thrift Store, sewing blankets with her friends in the Mission Workers in her church and doing visitations. Mom loved cooking and sharing meals with her family. She enjoyed playing games and entertaining for their many friends. Mom also loved gardening, this was evident with all the flowers that decorated their yard in Steinbach. In April of 2007 Mom and Dad moved to Fernwood. Here Mom made many new friends, enjoying visiting and puzzling in the sun room. Mom will be lovingly remembered by her children Don (Linda), Leonard (Maria), Brian (Cheryl) and Marianne (Wilf) Sawatzky; 11 grandchildren and their spouses plus six great-grandchildren. Mom is survived by two brothers, Johnny (Betty), Peter (Tina) and one sister-in-law Helen Friesen; one brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law and all their families. Mom was predeceased by her husband Cornelius, her parents Isaac and Maria, brothers George and Jack and sister Agatha. We would like to say a special thank you to Debbie Krahn (palliative care nurse), all of Mom’s home care workers at Fernwood, the nursing staff at the Steinbach Bethesda Hospital and all her many friends who spent time with her over these last months. The funeral for Mary Esau will be held Monday, July 13, at 11:00 a.m., at the Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Blvd, Steinbach, with interment at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach. Viewing will be at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Sunday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m, and at the church prior to the service. If friends so desire, donations may be made to The Bethesda Foundation – Palliative Care, 316 Henry St., Steinbach, MB R5G 0P9 or to the Mennonite Central Committee Memorial Plan , 134 Plaza Drive; Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9.