Resided in Gilbert, Arizona.
Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home.
Thanks to Linda Fitzgerald Alexander for the following obituary:
Works of Love are Works of Peace -Mother Teresa
"Queen" Esther Mayer passed away peacefully from this earth on October 23, 2019, at age 90 surrounded by family. Esther lived life enthusiastically with great energy, love and compassion. She practiced her Catholic faith with devotion, humility, and action. Esther felt her calling was to provide delicious food for her family and friends, and to organize food distribution to the underserved populations throughout the valley. She is survived by her three sons: Stephen (Suzy), Daniel (Shelly), and James, as well as her four grandchildren: Joshua, Stephanie (Thomas), Josie (Jo), and Anthony, and 5 great-grandchildren: Lorenzo, Jaxton, Aviana, Juliana, and Joseph. Esthers husband Hank preceded her in death in 2002 and joins her now in heaven.
Estika Anna Buday was born in 1928 to Slovak and Hungarian parents in Trencin-Teplice, Slovakia. Esther led a charmed life in an idyllic therapeutic 16th c spa-village learning the importance of her faith, good food in her parents restaurant, swimming at the hot-springs pool Zelena Zaba (the Green Frog), singing, dancing, acting in plays, and cavorting with her friends. During World War II, Esther fled Slovakia at age 16 with her family traveling between refugee camps. After many long and arduous journeys and displacements, the Budays relocated to Munich until 1947 where Esther served as a translator for The War Relief Services - National Catholic Welfare Council for displaced persons. Esther spoke six languages, Slovak, Czech, Hungarian, German, Russian, and Italian.
In 1947, Esther and family (Stephania and Bela Buday - parents, and Jan Buday,-brother) arrived in Boston, MA, via the USS General Hersey. Eventually Esther and family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met Heinz (Hank) Mayer and wed in 1951. From Cleveland the family lived in southern California for 10 years and since 1970 in Phoenix. Esther worked for the Arizona DMV for 20 years, riding the bus every day. Together with Hank they raised three sons and created a close family and community.
Esther often remarked "I did not know how to cook when I got married" but had the "learned ingredients" from her family restaurant and pub that served traditional East European specialties. Chicken paprikash, schnitzel, roast goose, and her famous hand-pulled applestrudel - along with countless other baked goods - became her masterpieces. Cooking and baking were symbolic for Esther and Hank in America having lived through food shortages in WWII. Food was meant to be shared in the home and with those who were less fortunate. They sent food-care packages to family in Eastern Europe under communism, care packages to orphanages in Vietnam, and locally to Mother Teresas Missionaries of the Poor in Phoenix, PAZ de Cristo, and many more. Feeding and sharing was their gift to the world.
Esthers church community was very important to her and she always cherished her friendships and time with the Womans Fellowship at St. Timothys Parish. Esther had a zest for life and loved to organize a party, whether attending or hosting, and never missed an opportunity to join friends in hospitality, celebration, and sharing her East-European culture with the American Dream. "Queen" Esther will be greatly missed by her family, all those who knew her, and all those she reached out to.
The family wishes to thank the warm-hearted caregivers from Emerald Groves South (Becky, Rachel, Kia, and Jimmie-Lee), Suncrest Hospice (Evelyn and Chaplain Jeff), Queen of Heaven Cemetery, and all the friends who all worked tirelessly to make her last days comfortable and peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Paz de Christo: https://pazdecristo.org
A Mass will be held in honor of Esther Mayer on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, All Saints Catholic Roman Parish, 1534 N. Recker Rd, Mesa, AZ, at 10:00am. Internment is private following Mass.
Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home.
Thanks to Linda Fitzgerald Alexander for the following obituary:
Works of Love are Works of Peace -Mother Teresa
"Queen" Esther Mayer passed away peacefully from this earth on October 23, 2019, at age 90 surrounded by family. Esther lived life enthusiastically with great energy, love and compassion. She practiced her Catholic faith with devotion, humility, and action. Esther felt her calling was to provide delicious food for her family and friends, and to organize food distribution to the underserved populations throughout the valley. She is survived by her three sons: Stephen (Suzy), Daniel (Shelly), and James, as well as her four grandchildren: Joshua, Stephanie (Thomas), Josie (Jo), and Anthony, and 5 great-grandchildren: Lorenzo, Jaxton, Aviana, Juliana, and Joseph. Esthers husband Hank preceded her in death in 2002 and joins her now in heaven.
Estika Anna Buday was born in 1928 to Slovak and Hungarian parents in Trencin-Teplice, Slovakia. Esther led a charmed life in an idyllic therapeutic 16th c spa-village learning the importance of her faith, good food in her parents restaurant, swimming at the hot-springs pool Zelena Zaba (the Green Frog), singing, dancing, acting in plays, and cavorting with her friends. During World War II, Esther fled Slovakia at age 16 with her family traveling between refugee camps. After many long and arduous journeys and displacements, the Budays relocated to Munich until 1947 where Esther served as a translator for The War Relief Services - National Catholic Welfare Council for displaced persons. Esther spoke six languages, Slovak, Czech, Hungarian, German, Russian, and Italian.
In 1947, Esther and family (Stephania and Bela Buday - parents, and Jan Buday,-brother) arrived in Boston, MA, via the USS General Hersey. Eventually Esther and family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met Heinz (Hank) Mayer and wed in 1951. From Cleveland the family lived in southern California for 10 years and since 1970 in Phoenix. Esther worked for the Arizona DMV for 20 years, riding the bus every day. Together with Hank they raised three sons and created a close family and community.
Esther often remarked "I did not know how to cook when I got married" but had the "learned ingredients" from her family restaurant and pub that served traditional East European specialties. Chicken paprikash, schnitzel, roast goose, and her famous hand-pulled applestrudel - along with countless other baked goods - became her masterpieces. Cooking and baking were symbolic for Esther and Hank in America having lived through food shortages in WWII. Food was meant to be shared in the home and with those who were less fortunate. They sent food-care packages to family in Eastern Europe under communism, care packages to orphanages in Vietnam, and locally to Mother Teresas Missionaries of the Poor in Phoenix, PAZ de Cristo, and many more. Feeding and sharing was their gift to the world.
Esthers church community was very important to her and she always cherished her friendships and time with the Womans Fellowship at St. Timothys Parish. Esther had a zest for life and loved to organize a party, whether attending or hosting, and never missed an opportunity to join friends in hospitality, celebration, and sharing her East-European culture with the American Dream. "Queen" Esther will be greatly missed by her family, all those who knew her, and all those she reached out to.
The family wishes to thank the warm-hearted caregivers from Emerald Groves South (Becky, Rachel, Kia, and Jimmie-Lee), Suncrest Hospice (Evelyn and Chaplain Jeff), Queen of Heaven Cemetery, and all the friends who all worked tirelessly to make her last days comfortable and peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Paz de Christo: https://pazdecristo.org
A Mass will be held in honor of Esther Mayer on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, All Saints Catholic Roman Parish, 1534 N. Recker Rd, Mesa, AZ, at 10:00am. Internment is private following Mass.
Resided in Gilbert, Arizona.
Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home.
Thanks to Linda Fitzgerald Alexander for the following obituary:
Works of Love are Works of Peace -Mother Teresa
"Queen" Esther Mayer passed away peacefully from this earth on October 23, 2019, at age 90 surrounded by family. Esther lived life enthusiastically with great energy, love and compassion. She practiced her Catholic faith with devotion, humility, and action. Esther felt her calling was to provide delicious food for her family and friends, and to organize food distribution to the underserved populations throughout the valley. She is survived by her three sons: Stephen (Suzy), Daniel (Shelly), and James, as well as her four grandchildren: Joshua, Stephanie (Thomas), Josie (Jo), and Anthony, and 5 great-grandchildren: Lorenzo, Jaxton, Aviana, Juliana, and Joseph. Esthers husband Hank preceded her in death in 2002 and joins her now in heaven.
Estika Anna Buday was born in 1928 to Slovak and Hungarian parents in Trencin-Teplice, Slovakia. Esther led a charmed life in an idyllic therapeutic 16th c spa-village learning the importance of her faith, good food in her parents restaurant, swimming at the hot-springs pool Zelena Zaba (the Green Frog), singing, dancing, acting in plays, and cavorting with her friends. During World War II, Esther fled Slovakia at age 16 with her family traveling between refugee camps. After many long and arduous journeys and displacements, the Budays relocated to Munich until 1947 where Esther served as a translator for The War Relief Services - National Catholic Welfare Council for displaced persons. Esther spoke six languages, Slovak, Czech, Hungarian, German, Russian, and Italian.
In 1947, Esther and family (Stephania and Bela Buday - parents, and Jan Buday,-brother) arrived in Boston, MA, via the USS General Hersey. Eventually Esther and family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met Heinz (Hank) Mayer and wed in 1951. From Cleveland the family lived in southern California for 10 years and since 1970 in Phoenix. Esther worked for the Arizona DMV for 20 years, riding the bus every day. Together with Hank they raised three sons and created a close family and community.
Esther often remarked "I did not know how to cook when I got married" but had the "learned ingredients" from her family restaurant and pub that served traditional East European specialties. Chicken paprikash, schnitzel, roast goose, and her famous hand-pulled applestrudel - along with countless other baked goods - became her masterpieces. Cooking and baking were symbolic for Esther and Hank in America having lived through food shortages in WWII. Food was meant to be shared in the home and with those who were less fortunate. They sent food-care packages to family in Eastern Europe under communism, care packages to orphanages in Vietnam, and locally to Mother Teresas Missionaries of the Poor in Phoenix, PAZ de Cristo, and many more. Feeding and sharing was their gift to the world.
Esthers church community was very important to her and she always cherished her friendships and time with the Womans Fellowship at St. Timothys Parish. Esther had a zest for life and loved to organize a party, whether attending or hosting, and never missed an opportunity to join friends in hospitality, celebration, and sharing her East-European culture with the American Dream. "Queen" Esther will be greatly missed by her family, all those who knew her, and all those she reached out to.
The family wishes to thank the warm-hearted caregivers from Emerald Groves South (Becky, Rachel, Kia, and Jimmie-Lee), Suncrest Hospice (Evelyn and Chaplain Jeff), Queen of Heaven Cemetery, and all the friends who all worked tirelessly to make her last days comfortable and peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Paz de Christo: https://pazdecristo.org
A Mass will be held in honor of Esther Mayer on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, All Saints Catholic Roman Parish, 1534 N. Recker Rd, Mesa, AZ, at 10:00am. Internment is private following Mass.
Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home.
Thanks to Linda Fitzgerald Alexander for the following obituary:
Works of Love are Works of Peace -Mother Teresa
"Queen" Esther Mayer passed away peacefully from this earth on October 23, 2019, at age 90 surrounded by family. Esther lived life enthusiastically with great energy, love and compassion. She practiced her Catholic faith with devotion, humility, and action. Esther felt her calling was to provide delicious food for her family and friends, and to organize food distribution to the underserved populations throughout the valley. She is survived by her three sons: Stephen (Suzy), Daniel (Shelly), and James, as well as her four grandchildren: Joshua, Stephanie (Thomas), Josie (Jo), and Anthony, and 5 great-grandchildren: Lorenzo, Jaxton, Aviana, Juliana, and Joseph. Esthers husband Hank preceded her in death in 2002 and joins her now in heaven.
Estika Anna Buday was born in 1928 to Slovak and Hungarian parents in Trencin-Teplice, Slovakia. Esther led a charmed life in an idyllic therapeutic 16th c spa-village learning the importance of her faith, good food in her parents restaurant, swimming at the hot-springs pool Zelena Zaba (the Green Frog), singing, dancing, acting in plays, and cavorting with her friends. During World War II, Esther fled Slovakia at age 16 with her family traveling between refugee camps. After many long and arduous journeys and displacements, the Budays relocated to Munich until 1947 where Esther served as a translator for The War Relief Services - National Catholic Welfare Council for displaced persons. Esther spoke six languages, Slovak, Czech, Hungarian, German, Russian, and Italian.
In 1947, Esther and family (Stephania and Bela Buday - parents, and Jan Buday,-brother) arrived in Boston, MA, via the USS General Hersey. Eventually Esther and family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met Heinz (Hank) Mayer and wed in 1951. From Cleveland the family lived in southern California for 10 years and since 1970 in Phoenix. Esther worked for the Arizona DMV for 20 years, riding the bus every day. Together with Hank they raised three sons and created a close family and community.
Esther often remarked "I did not know how to cook when I got married" but had the "learned ingredients" from her family restaurant and pub that served traditional East European specialties. Chicken paprikash, schnitzel, roast goose, and her famous hand-pulled applestrudel - along with countless other baked goods - became her masterpieces. Cooking and baking were symbolic for Esther and Hank in America having lived through food shortages in WWII. Food was meant to be shared in the home and with those who were less fortunate. They sent food-care packages to family in Eastern Europe under communism, care packages to orphanages in Vietnam, and locally to Mother Teresas Missionaries of the Poor in Phoenix, PAZ de Cristo, and many more. Feeding and sharing was their gift to the world.
Esthers church community was very important to her and she always cherished her friendships and time with the Womans Fellowship at St. Timothys Parish. Esther had a zest for life and loved to organize a party, whether attending or hosting, and never missed an opportunity to join friends in hospitality, celebration, and sharing her East-European culture with the American Dream. "Queen" Esther will be greatly missed by her family, all those who knew her, and all those she reached out to.
The family wishes to thank the warm-hearted caregivers from Emerald Groves South (Becky, Rachel, Kia, and Jimmie-Lee), Suncrest Hospice (Evelyn and Chaplain Jeff), Queen of Heaven Cemetery, and all the friends who all worked tirelessly to make her last days comfortable and peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Paz de Christo: https://pazdecristo.org
A Mass will be held in honor of Esther Mayer on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, All Saints Catholic Roman Parish, 1534 N. Recker Rd, Mesa, AZ, at 10:00am. Internment is private following Mass.
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