The
eldest living descendant of Zelig ben Chaim Mayov, Esther Mayoff celebrated
her 100 birthday recently. Born on March 25, 1897 near Kostyukovich, Russia,
Esther, at about the age of eight moved with her parents Usher and Toba
Mayoff to Denmark after fleeing the pogroms of Tzarist Russia. She has spoken
of spending some of her teen years there before the family subsequently
immigrated to Montreal. After arriving in Montreal, the family joined Usher's
brothers and lived at 1315 Ave. de l'hotel de Ville. One of Usher's brothers,
Schloima, had a son by the name of Hyman. Already being familiar with Montreal,
Hymie took it to be his responsibility to show 
Esther the in's and out's of her new homeland.
Eventually these two cousins fell in love and they married. Four children
were born to this marriage, Solly (b) 1918, Moe, (b) 1921, Sydney (b) 1923,
(d) 1924 and Anne (b) 1925, (d) 1994. Esther has five grandchildren, Allen
Mayoff, son of Solly & Essie Mayoff; Nancy and Joann, daughters of Moe
and Sarah Mayoff; Rhona Morantz Pervin and Ian Morantz, daughter and son
of Anne and Abe Morantz. Her five great grandchildren are: Jonathan Mayoff
(Le-Blanc), Elana Pervin, Leah, Tobi, Nicholas and Joshua Morantz. (Hymie passed away in 1975.) Happy
birthday, Esther!
comments
to Art Mayoff