Dora Kessler

Dora G. Kessler, 96, died on January 6 in Roanoke, Virginia. Mrs. Kessler was a woman of devout faith who fought through incredible poverty to become a devoted wife for over 70 years and a dedicated mother. Her personal spirit was enriching to all of those who knew her and her willingness to make whatever sacrifice was necessary to provide care for others was a hallmark of her life.

She worked as a nurse at General Hospital in Louisville and at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. When she moved back to Louisville, she volunteered for various programs in the community and through her church. As one who possessed a verbal expertise, she knew the words to scores of hymns, worked crossword puzzles in the Courier-Journal with an ink pen, and was the undisputed family champion of Scrabble. But her greatest love of words was expressed through her poetry that collectively represented nearly one hundred expressions of her feelings on everything from her love for her family to her sincere faith. She lived long and touched many.

Mrs. Kessler was preceded in death by her husband, Allen R. Kessler, and is survived by her two sons, Dr. A. Reif Kessler (Susan) from Roanoke, Virginia, and the Rev. Dr. Charles R. Kessler (Patricia), from Bluffton, South Carolina; as well as four grandchildren, their spouses, and nine great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Friday, January 26, at 11:00 at the Arch L. Heady funeral home at the Resthaven Memorial Park, 4400 Bardstown Road.