Zerline Mae Justado Esmer
February 13, 1971 ~ January 12, 2023
Born in:
Pasay City, Philippines
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Surrounded by family in her Hamden, CT home, Zerline Mae Justado Esmer, 51, passed away early Thursday, January 12, 2023 due to complications from stage IV breast cancer. She began her battle with her disease in 2010, when she was first diagnosed with stage I breast cancer. After a decade of remission, she was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in December 2020. She is survived by her husband, Rogelio Esmer, 55; her three children, Kristina Esmer, 23, Julian Esmer, 20, and Justin Esmer, 19; her siblings Antonio “Joe” Justado, Jr., 53, and Jennifer Justado, 50; and her miniature schnauzer Tucker, 13. She is predeceased by her mother, Ardena Causing Timonera, her father, Antonio Natividad Justado, Sr., and her eldest brother, Alfredo Tonard Justado.
Born on February 13, 1971 in Pasay City, Philippines, Zerline made her way to the United Arab Emirates to further her career as a nurse. There, she met and married her husband Rogelio in Abu Dhabi, where they had their daughter Kristina in 1999. The family of three made their way to the United States in 2001, where they first resided in New York, later moving to Connecticut. Zerline’s sons Julian and Justin were born in New Haven, CT in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and the family has since resided in Hamden.
Zerline found a community within the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Haven. Her hobbies included playing piano, singing, and cooking. Growing up, she and her siblings were involved in their church’s choir. Her love for music led her to encourage her own children to pursue music as well, in and out of the church. One of her greatest passions, however, was her devotion to helping others.
Her 19-year-long career as an OR nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital remains a hallmark of the generosity that defined her life, and now her legacy. Zerline dedicated her life to helping others and loving fiercely. She instilled these same values and sentiments in those around her, both at work and in her personal life. Co-workers remember Zerline as a special soul, describing her as someone who brought a bright and passionate energy with her every time she showed up to her shifts. And working earnestly alongside family and friends, Zerline was also an instrumental part of the OurKids4KidsVision, a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian relief to impoverished communities in the Philippines.
Friends are invited to join Zerline’s family for a wake on Saturday, January 21 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home (2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518). A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Zerline’s 52nd birthday on Monday, February 13 at 9:00 am at the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church (355 Humphrey Street, New Haven, CT 06511).
Services
Visitation: January 21, 2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
Memorial Service: February 13, 2023 9:00 am
New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church
355 Humphrey Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203-776-6646
Love u mama
I will be missing you my dear sister.
Zerline was a bright and shining star, working with her at Yale New Haven Hospital , she always wore a warm and welcoming smile. I also had the pleasure of working with her husband Roger Esmer a, we both met working as Radiology Technologists at Yale, he too always had an infectious smile always. I later introduced Roger to my husband and they became like brothers. We will miss Zerline but we will always be here for you Roger and family for you guys have become our family! My husband John Ross and myself Sheila Brooks- Ross offer our sincere condolences at this most difficult time!
We’ll miss you, Mommy Day.
Rest in peace Zerline.
One of the kindest and caring people I have ever known. I am going to miss you but heaven must have needed you more
Zerline was just one of the sweetest, most kind souls I had ever met. She will never be gone as long as we don’t forget her. That for sure, will not happen. As long as our memories live, Zerline will live in our memories. My deepest condolences to all of the family.
Margaret
We will miss you my dear sister in law . Rest In Peace.
Zerline was a beautiful person inside and out . She was gracious and kind, and always did her best for the patients she cared for and her peers. She fought a hard battle and yet she kept her spirits up. Many people including myself, didn’t know just how grave her situation was. That’s because Zerline always had a smile and she radiated happiness and a sense of peace. I never once remembered her being rattled by any situation, and that’s a testament to her strong character. May you rest in peace now, and reap the rewards in heaven for leaving this earth a little better than you found it. You will be greatly missed😢🕊️✝️ My condolences to the Esmer family 💐
We love you tita. 💙💙💙Always. 🌌
I will miss my locker buddy. Every day when she came in I always asked her. How was the weather? I always asked her how her kids were the nicest sweetest person I have ever met.🥲🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Beautiful inside and out!!! Always with a beautiful smile and soft kind words. You will be greatly missed!!!!
My sincere condolences to the whole family and friends. We will all miss you. ❤️
I had the pleasure of working with Zerline in the OR at Yale for 5 years. That career isn’t an easy one and can often jade one’s character….however Zerline was one of the kindest souls I have ever known and always had a smile on her face
Zerline
Your bright smile .Your cheerful spirit. Supportive and loving. Friend and coworker.These are my words to describe such a beautiful person Rest in peace Zerline You well be missed😔💕
Mahal kita, Mama.
Zerline sending you a hug and smile. You will be truly missed. Prayers to your family and work family. Definitely one of the sweetest people you can meet. I remember how proud you were of me that I finally became a RN. 😘🙏🏾
Zerline Pet
I am so lucky to have personally known you,
You are the sweetest and the most selfless person I have ever met. Miss your sweet voice every time you answer the phone. Heaven must have been celebrating you. Rest in peace my friend. Mahal ka namin.
Venus ( Vinok)
To an Amazing Human Being, thank you for all the Brilliance you brought into this world. It remains here with us in the memories of your kindness. Thank you Zerline the universe greets you with kindness as you return to it.
Zerline always the most soft spoken person you could ever meet. A heart of gold. Sweet,kind,compassionate… you definitely left an imprint in the OR your energy was unmatched. Grateful that I was able to cross paths which such a beautiful woman inside and out. May you sleep in peace. ❤️
Zerline was a kind, sweet, respectful, helpful, pleasant, delightful-to-work-with soul. I was one of the physicians who worked with her in the Operating Room regularly. I always knew I was in for a good day when she was assigned to our room because she made everything run smoothly. She was extraordinarily dedicated. She knew her stuff.
If I miss her as just a co worker who was lucky enough to share space with her for a few hours a day and got to see how special a person she was, I can only imagine the depth of sorrow and loss for her family. To her family: I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
I am reminded of the quote, “How lucky am I to have something [someone] that makes saying good bye so hard.”
You were a wonderful person and lovely to work with in the OR.
You will be missed
Rest in peace Zerline
Zerline, you were such a gracious soul. In you, I saw a woman who was strong, kind and always willing to go the extra mile. You were a courageous person, a legacy you leave behind, to be remembered by, for those who were blessed to walk paths with you. You will be sorely missed my dear friend. Rest in peace Zerline.
tita zerline,
I love you so very much.
Love
Jay
Rest in peace in God’s arms . You will be missed
You will always be in our heart tita ❤️ We love you always! -Tolet, Nikko & Ellie
I’ve had the pleasure to have worked with Zerline for 17 years. You knew you were going to have a great day if she was your partner. Zerline would always ask me how are the Nix boys.I will miss her bright smile. Rest in Peace my friend.
Zerline, my Xerxes…brave & strong! I am still in disbelief and words are not enough to explain the feeling of this news. You had one of those smiles that pulled people in for a hug and a positive attitude that made any trauma feel like a walk in the park. Thank you for your many wonderful words of wisdom, encouragement, hugs and smiles. My condolences to your family and may God welcome you as one of His beautiful Angels 😇
Zerline is a beautiful person inside and out. She can be the light to your dark moments and the sunshine on a gloomy day. She is a kind, sincere and respectful person to everyone around her. Everyone loves her and will miss her. To Zerline’s family, it’s difficult for us to understand the pain and sorrow you’re going through right now. Grieve if you must. We, Zerline’s friends will be praying for you and always willing to help should you need us. We’re so lucky to have known and worked with Zerline. We will always cherish her memories and her legacy. Rest in Peace Zerline.
Zerline” Inday” was my one of my childhood Best Friends together with her younger sister “Peng” Jennifer. She was the younger sister I never had. We shared wonderful childhood memories growing up in Pasay City Philippines. I was their constant visitor in their home and enjoyed their mom’s delicious home cooked meals. Zerline was a very loyal, loving and generous friend . She’s one of the smartest person I’ve met. On her 50th bday I sent her a box of gifts and goodies and she was so delighted to received them . I will surely miss Inday but I am very sure that it won’t be long when we shall see her again on that great resurrection morning! I can’t wait to see her smile again. There will be no more parting, no pain, no death!
My family and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Roger, Tin, Julian and Justin .My family and I will always be here for you. Stay close to Jesus, the resurrection and life! 🙏🌹
To my only sister and bestfriend, you are now safe in God’s loving arms. I will miss our daily videocalls. I love you so much, Tinday. Rest easy.
To my only sister and bestfriend, you are now safe in God’s loving arms. I will miss our daily videocalls. I love you so much, Tinday.
Zerline, we love you. Our family will miss you big time. Thank you for the times you spent with us.
May your bright light you left here on earth continue to shine for others. Eternal rest grant upon you.
we love you and we’ll gonna miss you Rest in Peace my dear sister in law 🙏
Thank you for being one of the proudest PLMayers BSN class of 1991 who gave the University a 100 per cent passing rate and served PGH with utmost confidence knowledge and dedication . Rest in peace now my dear Inday. From your Class President love TessDP
Rest in Peace in the loving arms of our Almighty God Zerline! Farewell! We will miss you Forever!
Rest in peace, my friend Zerline….❤…my first roomie in Far Rockaway. I will miss you.
Rest in paradise Inday..We will miss you
My condolences and prayers🙏🙏🙏
To Our Earth Angel Zerline we Thank You
The world is a little less bright without you in it. I will miss your smiling face everytime I saw you. Love you Zerline. Rest easy.
Zerline Thank You for your Spirit will Live throughout all Eternity 🕊️ Looking Forward to joining all who Love you every Full Moon . . .
My sincere condolences 🌷🙏🏾🕊️❤️🌹
You’re an Angel, Tita Zerline!
Praise God for creating you and for leaving a beautiful legacy behind for your family and everyone who knew you.
Praying for peace and comfort over the Esmer family! God bless!
You are more happier now with the Lord Zerline💐 You will surely be missed ! And you had left a great strong foundation to your family. Rest in peace Zerline🙏❤️.