On this day, we will celebrate the life of Esther Conner. Beloved mother and nana to her children and grandchildren. She was a Loving daughter, sister, and cherished life long friend to many.

Esther Marie Conner born on April 20, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland to James and Velma Conner passed away on March 28 2020.

Esther was preceded in death by her father James, her mother Velma, and her brother Jamey.

She is survived by her brother Michael Conner and his wife Catherine of California, her sister Lisa Conner of Pennsylvania, her daughter Jessica Bruner and husband Shane of Marshfield Missouri, her son Brandon Lamb and his wife Rachel of Colorado Springs, Colorado,  her most prized people left on this planet, her grandchildren Gabriel, Jackson, Gerard, and Benjamin. Along with many family members and  friends near and far.

If she knew you she loved you. If you knew her you were blessed.

She attended the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia. She was a Captain in the United States Army and from there she began her nursing career. She practiced nursing for numerous years in both New Jersey and Missouri.  When she moved to Missouri she began her teaching career at Missouri State University.  She was an assistant professor of nursing at both Missouri State University of West Plains and Lincoln University at Fort Leonard Wood.

Once she retired from teaching she went to work caring for those that needed her special touch for a number of years before becoming a full time Nana to her grand babies.

Of any job she ever held Mom and Nana were her two favorites.

Esther enjoyed caring for her family most.  She loved taking walks with Gabriel and Jessica, working on puzzles, shopping, traveling to see her friends and family, especially her son, Brandon and his family.  She enjoyed reading, volunteering in any way she could, and going to church. Esther had an unwavering love for rescuing animals. Even if there wasn't anymore room at the casa de Conner, She would always make room. You could never have too many cats. Cats were her very favorite animal.

She would always say "don't sweat the small stuff, including small animals".

She made many friends throughout her life. One very close to her described her as, "Frustratingly intelligent - but patient with the rest of us.

Painfully honest - don't ask her if you don't want the truth.

Fiercely loyal - don't mess with the military and last but certainly not least, crazy in love with her kids and grandkids."

Esther was an organized planner. A little, self admittedly, OCD at times but she got things done. She was always on time, at least 15 minutes early, and we were late if we weren't there by then.

She taught us to love without boundaries and unconditionally. She expected everyone she taught, first and foremost her children, to try their best and even if we didn't want to, to follow through and finish what we started. She told us not to sweat the small stuff, that big love comes from small beginnings, that there will always be a glimmer of hope and a bit of sunshine in every day, even on the cloudy ones.  She was the calm in every storm.

She nurtured and loved all living beings, and filled us all with a love that will never be replaced but will be cherished and remembered for the rest of our years.

The true beauty of Esther was the love that beamed directly from within and even on her hardest days, she loved more.

Jessica Bruner