Obituary of Shirley Kessler

Shirley Kessler, 92, of Rome, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Bethany Gardens, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Highland Park, MI, on August 17, 1931, she was a daughter of John and Margaret (McGovern) Dickson. She was a 1949 graduate of Dominican All Girls Catholic High School in Detroit, MI.

Shirley worked at AAEFES Class VI on Griffiss Air Force Base and Stan’s Seafood.

She was a member of St. Peter’s Church and the Girl Scouts of America. She was active in the community, including the Rome National Little League where she was Past President and worked the concession stand for many years. She loved to travel and do lunch with her girlfriends.

Shirley is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Wilkinson and Colleen Brown (Tim); two sons, Michael Kessler (Linda) and Patrick Kessler (Judy); two sisters, Linda Barry(Wade) and Judith Dickson; in-laws, Cecelia Dickson, James and Jane Kessler, Patricia Desautels and Jean Kessler; eleven grandchildren, Jeffrey Wilkinson (Deborah), Tracy Sims (Rick), Joseph Kessler (Ida), Autumn Kessler (Alec), Justin Tuner-Gonzales (Ashby), Nick Tuner-Gonzales (Danielle) and Jessica Turner-Gonzales, Natasha Carpenter (David), Matthew Zawisza (Misty), Michael Zawisza (Vanesa) and John Ringlehan (Stefanie); twelve great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, John Dickson; two grandchildren, Sheri Lynn Ringlehan and Shawn Kessler; and a son-in-law, Ralph Wilkinson.

Shirley’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Bethany Gardens for their loving care and compassion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 1^st, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 200 N. James St., Rome, NY 13440. Interment will take place in St. John’s Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome NY 13440, on Tuesday, October 31^st, from 4-6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy at www.nunnandharper.com.