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Misrahi, Esther (1988-2008)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Sep 1 p. 10
Birth date: 1988
Former service worker dies at 20
By Hannah Heinzekehr
Mennonite Missin Network
LONDON — Esther Misrahi left this world in the same way she lived in it, wrapped in the symbolic love of family, friends and church members from all over the world.
Misrahi, 20, was diagnosed with a cancerous nerve sheath tumor in April 2007. She died July 11, 2008, bundled in a quit made of fabric squares donated by friends and family at home in the United Kingdom and from other countries including the United States, Lithuania and Sweden.
The quilt, pieced by Mennonite Mission Network worker Kathy Thiessen, who serves at London Mennonite Centre, was presented to Misrahi at a healing service, symbolizing her global community's support and love.
"Sometimes you don't really know what's the right thing to do, and so you just have to do what you can," said Thiessen, who organized the production of the quilt after the church received word that Misrahi's tumors were growing.
In addition to creating the quilt, members of Wood Green Mennonite Church, Misrahi's congregation since birth, and London Mennonite Centre also visited Misrahi regularly, donated funds towards living and funeral costs, provided transport to and from the hospital, cooked meals and supported the Misrahi family in many ways, even bringing her cat to visit her in the hospital the day before she died.
The church hosted prayer meetings on Misrahi's behalf.
"It is all part of a picture of a small church (very small by U.S. standards) doing its utmost to support one of its own, in a way that is unusual in the U.K.," wrote Lesley Misrahi, Esther's mother.
During Esther's struggle with cancer, Lesley maintained a Web site that kept friends and family around the world up-to-date on her daughter's condition. The site also helped to connect the Misrahi family to communities throughout the United States, including Kern Road Mennonite Church in South Bend, Ind.
Upon graduation from high school in 2006, Misrahi joined Service Adventure, one of Mission Network's Christian service programs, in South Bend. Kern Road served as the sponsoring congregation for the unit. Misrahi assisted in a local Goodwill store and at Sister Maura Brannick Health Center.
"Esther was very perceptive," said Laura Kraybill, Misrahi's unit leader in South Bend. "She had a curious mind, and she was very aware of and concerned about world events. She would bring those up to us at home and also at church she would stand up and share a prayer concern about something going on in the world."
Misrahi's tumor was discovered during her eighth month in South Bend. Members of Kern Road and her home housemates rallied to support her.
This was not Misrahi's first battle with cancer. At the age of 4, doctors discovered a brain tumor, and she underwent brain surgery and radiotherapy at age 5. This had lifelong effects and made some physical activity involving balance and coordination difficult.
Misrahi was an active member of Wood Green, the only Mennonite congregation in London. She loved to participate in the European Colloquium, a biannual gathering of Mennonites from Europe. She volunteered at London Mennonite Centre.
Misrahi is survived by her mother, Lesley, and a brother, Adam. Her father, Bernard, died in 2003 with a similar nerve sheath tumor.