Sandi Essner

Sandra "Sandi" Essner, 60, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, May 6, 2022, at her home from stage 4 ovarian cancer, which was diagnosed in June 2016.

She was born Feb. 19, 1962, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Marilynne Ann Toll and John Edward Toll Sr.

She lived in Puxico, Missouri, her first nine years of life on Mingo Wildlife Refuge before moving to Cape Girardeau. She graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1980 and St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1985.

She married Chris Essner on Oct. 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 Girardeau and Alaya and Jayden Essner of the home. Additionally, she is survived by her father and stepmother, Jack and Marty Toll of Mountain View, Missouri; her mother-in-law, Ina Essner of Cape Girardeau; 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 who 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 beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson. Burial of her cremated remains will follow the service at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

"I felt no need for a long obituary because for the last six 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 http://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 may 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 www.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

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.