Esther May Suderman

After a courageous battle with cancer, Esther May Suderman went home to heaven on April 27, 2025. Throughout her final days, she was lovingly cared for by her devoted husband, Henry, who rarely left her side. Many family members and friends came to visit during this time, and the entire family gathered to celebrate Easter together—a cherished memory.

Esther was born on October 12, 1945, at MSA Hospital in Abbotsford, BC. The eldest of six siblings, she was raised on a farm on King Road, where she learned the value of hard work and helped care for her younger brothers and sisters. She attended North Poplar Elementary School, Mennonite Educational Institute, and MBBI (now Columbia Bible College).

Raised in a Christian home, Esther made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour around the age of ten. She was baptized in Yarrow in July 1961, on the same day as Henry. In December 1965, she literally married “the boy next door,” having grown up on neighbouring farms. Shortly after their wedding, Henry purchased a field and built their family home between their childhood properties. It was in this home that they raised four children and where Esther welcomed their friends with warmth and generosity.

Henry and Esther were long-time members of South Abbotsford Church, where Esther actively served in many volunteer capacities over the years. Her roles included teaching Wee College and Sunday School, leading a mid-week Pioneer Girls class, assisting in the nursery, and serving on the Catering Committee. In later years, she faithfully volunteered with Youth Unlimited, cleaning their offices weekly.

As the years passed, Esther and Henry’s family continued to grow. Their four children married and blessed them with twelve grandchildren—an appropriate dozen for a family of poultry farmers! Today, five of those grandchildren are married, and the legacy continues with ten great-grandchildren and three more on the way.

Esther is lovingly remembered by her husband, Henry; her children: Alan (Susan), Evan (Teresa), Leanne (Craig), and Jennifer (Kevin); her grandchildren: Jason (Tanis), Dawson (Carly), Hannah (Braden), Adam (Myriam), Matthew, Darren, Ryan, Ben, Lorelle (Drew), Tyson, Olivia, and Jada; and her great-grandchildren: Carter, Emerie, Ryker, Hazel, Eli, Ezra, Tucker, Melody, Lea, and Sophie.

Esther’s steadfast faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life. She was a woman of prayer, lifting up her family and many others daily, and remained unwavering in her trust in God. She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. Overflow parking is available across the street at The Gathering Church (formerly Bakerview Church).

A graveside service for family and close friends will take place on Friday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m. at South Poplar Cemetery, 721 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m. at South Abbotsford Church, 32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford, followed by a lunch reception in the church gymnasium.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory may be made to Youth Unlimited in Abbotsford.