Brinah Kessler

Brinah was loved by everyone. Her heart was filled with love, acceptance, and joy. She saw the best in people and took delight in their adventures and accomplishments. She was blessed with optimism and empathy, and most of all she was blessed with family and friends who adored her and cherished her companionship.

Always understated and humble, her life was extraordinary. With Stan by her side, she marched for civil rights, women’s rights, and against the Vietnam War. She became a great and successful artist creating her own voice on pastels that, in her words, “reflected a world in our memories that really does not exist.” She loved going to her studio on Spring Garden Street and putting her voice and perspective on canvas. Stan would meticulously frame each piece because her success was his joy.

Most of all, she loved being with family and friends. As a young Brinah Bank, she met Stan Kessler at Penn State and would be married and devoted to each other for 68 years. She nurtured and encouraged her boys Andrew and Jim and always had confidence that “we could do anything.” She believed that through all the ups and down.

She loved her sister Helen and brother Richard and could not have been a better older sibling. Visiting Helen in Paris, spending time with Nicolas and Olivier, and following all of their adventures were among her fondest life pleasures. Catching up with Richard, chatting with Bryna, talking with Dylan and Eli and catching up on their lives and spouses and children brought her joy.

Her daughter-in-laws – June and Jane – were more than family to Brinah, they were friends, talking about art, going thrift-shopping, exchanging a little gossip, and bragging about her grandchildren. Each felt lucky to have her as a mother-in-law and a true friend.

No one was a better grandmother. She spoiled Monica, Mitchell, Kelsey and Liberty with love, affection and genuine interest in their lives. Monica and Mitchell would sit in rapt attention as granny read Harry Potter for hours and hours. She would never miss and was delighted in watching Kelsey‘s ballet performances. She would tear up watching Liberty play the very same violin that was first her father’s and then hers.

Her friendships were deep and meaningful, none more so than with Rhoda and Morty Slakoff who she first met as a child in Philadelphia. The laughter they all shared in Philadelphia, NYC, East Hampton and Miami would bounce off the wall.

Finally, a word about our father, Stan, who loved, protected, encouraged, and cared for Brinah from the early days though her final, peaceful hours. They loved each other, raised a family together, went through ups and downs together, and grew old together. In their final years, their health and memories faded. Our mother couldn’t remember what she ate for breakfast or what we talked about 10 minutes earlier. Our father struggled with the checkerboard memories and confusion that comes with Alzheimer’s. But they remained inseparable and devoted to each other. He is at peace that her passing was gentle.

When we spread the word that our mother was in her final days, we were both struck by how many people would say how Brinah had helped them through a difficult period in their lives, or spent the time to share a confidence, or taught them how to do something they still do today, or was a warm shoulder to lean upon, or simply that she always showed a genuine interest in their lives and what they had to say. She was the mom that our friends said was cool, nice, and welcoming. These relationships meant the world to her.

We all have wonderful memories with her and will miss her smile and laughter. We were lucky to have her as a mom and feel even more gratified that the people she touched felt lucky to know her.

Brinah Jane Kessler (nee Bank), February 1, 1934 – August 17, 2024.

Survived by husband Stan Kessler, sons Andrew (June Goodman) and James Kessler (Jane Lueders), grandchildren Monica Kessler, Mitchell Kessler, Kelsey Kessler, and Liberty Kessler, sister Helen Bank and brother Richard Bank.