Carol Sowers Kessler

MARBLEHEAD - Carol Sowers Kessler, age 84, of Marblehead, died on Friday, February 18, 2022, of metastatic breast cancer. She was the beloved wife of Robert Kessler with whom she shared 52 years of marriage, and who was by her side when she passed.

She was the devoted mother of Rebecca Kessler and mother-in-law of Todd Linkner, the cherished grandmother of Camille and Iris Linkner, and the dear sister of Steve Sowers. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Born in Riverside, California, Carol was the daughter of the late Stark and Betty (Howell) Sowers. She grew up in southern California and graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School with the class of 1955. She went on to earn an M.D. from Stanford University, graduating as the only woman in her class, and then a Masters of Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley. She practiced pediatrics in Alviso and King City, California, serving primarily the children of migrant workers from Mexico.

After moving to Marblehead in 1972, she practiced at Tewksbury Hospital serving children with disabilities, with a pediatric group in Lynn, in private practice in Marblehead, and at Beverly Pediatrics before retiring in 2000.

Carol supported numerous efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of both children and the environment. She volunteered with a number of groups, including the Marblehead Conservancy and the League of Women Voters. She also sang with the Concert Singers of Greater Lynn for many years. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, hiking and sailing, swimming, writing poetry, and being with family and friends. She appreciated beauty and nature in many forms, especially butterflies, birds, flowers, sunsets, color, art, and music.

A private funeral was held at Waterside Cemetery, and will be followed by an open memorial celebrating her life on a date to be determined in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to support the welfare of children may be made in her memory to Plan International at www.planusa.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Kessler family.