Dulcene Bernice Kessing

Dulcene (Candy) Douglas Kessing was born January 8, 1923 in Philadelphia, PA, the only child of May Bernice Rogers and Nicholas Fanning Wilson. She grew up in Coronado, CA and graduated from the Bishop’s School for Girls in La Jolla before attending the California School for Music in San Diego. On April 12, 1947, she married Ensign Oliver O. Kessing, Jr. (Bud), USN, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Coronado.

Over the next 20 years Candy and Bud raised eight children: Douglas L., Oliver O. III (Scrappy), Kathleen M. (Waylisa), Rogers M. (Ruffy), Dulcene E. (Betsy), Kevin W., Patrick M., and Bailey D. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, dearly loved by her children, 19 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

During the children’s early school years, Bud’s widowed mother, “Mother Jane”, lived with them and made it possible for Candy to become a successful real estate agent in Norfolk, VA for 25 years. In 1985, when Bud retired, they moved to the Landings in Fort Myers, FL where they enjoyed sailing the Bahamas in the winter and they also held residence in Virginia Beach where they sailed the Chesapeake in the summer. Ultimately they consolidated into 803 Ariel at the Landings.

Candy and Bud were both very active and social—exploring the world and playing chess, golf, tennis, spades, bridge, and sailing with family and friends. Bud passed away in 2011 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Candy will be laid to rest next to Bud where they can enjoy the view they loved together forever.