Sandi A. Essner

On May 6, 2022, Sandra "Sandi" Ann Essner of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, died at her home from stage 4 ovarian cancer which was diagnosed in June of 2016. She was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Marilynne Ann Toll and John Edward Toll Sr. on February 19, 1962. She lived in Puxico, Missouri her first 9 years of life on Mingo Wildlife Refuge before moving to Cape. She graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1980 and St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1985. She married Chris Essner on October 21, 2000. Prior to her illness, she served as a hospital pharmacist for over 30 years which she considered her calling and a job she loved. She was preceded in death by her mother, two brothers, John E. Toll Jr. and Scott Toll, and her father-in-law, John A. Essner. She is survived by her dear husband, Chris Essner, her precious children, Nicholas P. Essner of Cape and Alaya and Jayden Essner of the home. Additionally, she is survived by her father and step-mother, Jack and Marty Toll of Mountain View, Mo, her mother-in-law, Ina Essner of Cape, and her seven siblings, Susan Crites, Lee (Jeanie Branom) Toll, Barb (Greg) Cagle, Christy (Grady) Yount, Jackie (Greg) Twidwell, Patti (Ali) Raouf, and Kiersa (Jerome) Toll-Dubinski. In addition, survivors include a sister-in-law, Lisa Toll and her loving brothers and sisters-in-law from the Essner family that are too large to list. Also surviving are 42 nieces and nephews, and 23 grand nieces and nephews. “I am thankful to every person who touched my life and shared love with me through the years. A big thanks to all the prayer warriors that never forgot me. I am grateful for Siteman Cancer Center and my beloved doctor and friend, Dr. Andrea Hagemann. I am forever indebted to Chris for his years of love and care of me and our young children. I am confident Chris will finish our promise to raise Alaya and Jayden giving them a family “forever and always”. I have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices Nick made and the love and support he gave me and our family during these challenging years. To all: “Thank you for the love and laughter that defined my life.” Sandi A funeral mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson, Missouri on May 14, 2022 to begin at 10 a.m. Burial of her cremated remains at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau will follow the service. “I felt no need for a long obituary because for the last 6 years I have shared most every thought or event that has happened in my life on CaringBridge. You can educate yourself on many things relating to cancer or glimpse into what it was like living with stage 4 cancer by visiting https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sandiessner” Sandi requests contributions be made in her honor to the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University to support ovarian cancer prevention and early detection research. Donations can be made two ways: 1) Via checks made out to Washington University and mailed to: Siteman Cancer Center MSC 1247-414-2100 7425 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63105 You must indicate the gift is in honor of Sandi Essner by including “Sandi Essner/Ovarian Cancer Detection” in the memo line 2) Online at siteman.wustl.edu/tribute. Please indicate the gift is in honor of Sandi Essner by selecting “Other Designation”, and typing “Sandi Essner/Ovarian Cancer Detection” in the “Other” field. To learn more about genetic testing, see links below: Informational video - https://youtu.be/e_oFSxi36fk Genetic testing toolkit website - https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/genetic-counseling/family-genetic-testing-toolkit/

Tributes

Sandi A. Essner

February 19, 1962 - May 6, 2022