Mary Louisa Esau

Mary Lou Esau, born in Biggar, Saskatchewan on December 6, 1928, passed away on October 31, 2024 at the Residence in Mission. She is survived by her children Ken, Roberta, Michelle and Mike. She was predeceased by her husband Jake in 2008. Her parents Robert and Jean Crozier were immigrants from Scotland and England respectively.

Mom moved to Abbotsford, BC in 1947 where she met and married Jake. She had her hands full raising 4 kids but also worked in the army reserves for 25 years, eventually retiring with rank of major.

At home, she was the cook, laundress, seamstress, quartermaster, financial planner, party and vacation planner. Mom decided that we should go camping and single-handedly bought all the gear. After that, all family vacations were camping; often at Cultus Lake or Osoyoos or further afield, like the time we drove across Canada to see Expo 67 in Montreal.

Mom and Dad loved dancing and during the 50’s and 60’s would often go with their long-time friends John and Kathy Molnar to dances at Bradner Hall or in Sumas Washington. They were accomplished jive dancers.

Mom was very involved with St. Matthew’s Anglican Church and the ran the Sunday School for many years. She was also a lifetime member of the Canadian Legion and was often seen marching in the Remembrance Day parade in Abbotsford.

She was a big fan of whatever sports the kids were involved in, particularly softball. She even coached a softball team for one season. She would watch tennis and after school grass hockey games, even in the pouring rain. She continued to support in our various professions.

Mom and Dad travelled frequently in retirement; they would drive around BC with a camper on the back of Dad’s pickup truck and go fishing. They spent many years as “snowbirds,” wintering in Hawaii and then later in Yuma, Arizona. They also loved cruising and often did the trip to Alaska but also Hawaii, Panama and the Caribbean.

Mom was fun-loving and social and was always organizing fun things to do from Christmas whist or crib tournaments to well-catered parties for any reason at all.

Always full of energy, she led seniors’ fitness classes for many years.

Michelle got Mom a little black Shih Tzu puppy named “Inky” that became her constant companion, bringing her years of joy and happiness.

It was hard to see her slip away into dementia but she always remembered us and maintained her lovely smile to the end. We miss you Mom.

No service by Mom’s request.