Suzanne F. Kessler

Suzanne Fortney Kessler, 90, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Mount Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Stonybrook United Methodist Church at 485 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna, Ohio.

Suzanne was born on Friday, July 13, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee to Merrill and Mildred (Bennett) Fortney. She was the youngest of three children. Suzanne’s family later moved to Buckhead, Georgia, where she spent much of her childhood. Eventually, the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, for a short time before moving to Toledo, Ohio, where Suzanne attended and graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1952. After graduation, Suzanne attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where she became a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She graduated from Ohio State in 1956 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. Upon graduation, Suzanne spent the next few years working for Lazarus as well as Ohio Bell before returning to Ohio State to complete the required coursework to receive her elementary teaching certificate. During her career as a teacher, Suzanne taught first and third grade at Herbert Mills Elementary School in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

On August 12, 1967, Suzanne married Robert “Bob” Kessler. Together they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing bridge, traveling, and spending time at Lake Erie. After the birth of their daughter in 1970, Suzanne became a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker. In her free time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, reading, and, of course, playing bridge. She even became an enthusiastic BINGO player while residing at Sunrise of Gahanna for the past 2 years.

Suzanne is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Robert Kessler, parents, Merril and Mildred Fortney, sister, Mary Alice Bartingale, brother, James Fortney, and her beloved dachshunds, Heidi and Schatze. Suzanne is survived by her daughter Jill (John) Pemberton of Fremont, Ohio, step-son Robin (Judy) Kessler of Merritt Island, Florida, grandchildren, Sara and Hannah Pemberton, step-grandchildren, Derek and Erin (Alan Porter) Kessler, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Suzanne’s memory to the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Society (cllsociety.org) or Stonybrook United Methodist Church.