Denise Louise Kessler
Dec. 12, 1957 - July 25, 2017
Denise Louise Kessler, 59, Herndon, Va., passed away Tuesday at her residence after an extended illness, surrounded by and in the care of her loving family.
She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late Albert Joseph Sr. and Helen Marie Schlecht. On May 3, 1980, she married her high school friend, Kurt Joseph Kessler.
Surviving are her adoring husband; a son, Justin (Hannah) Kessler; two daughters: Meagan (Daniel) Bahamonde and Alyssa Kessler (fiance John Rafique); a grandson, Felix Bahamonde, and another on the way, the soon-to-be Hollis Rafique; two brothers: Albert J. Schlecht Jr. of Altoona and Ronald Eugene Schlecht Sr. of Hollidays-burg; and several nieces and nephews.
Denise was a graduate of Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. In 1979, she received a Bachelor of Science in nursing. For six years, she worked as a nurse in both the operating room and obstetrics and gynecology until she began her most important role as a stay-at-home mother. She went back to work in the field of education as a kindergarten instructional assistant in the Fairfax County Public School system for more than 10 years before retirement. She was well loved by her students, their families and the entire school community.
She loved vacationing at the beach with her family, going on lunch dates with her daughters and friends, listening to good music with her son, curling up with a good book and her two Shih Tzu and spending time with her husband at the end of every day. She had a particular love for shopping. Most recently, she preferred to spend her days with her favorite “hobby,” her grandson.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2017, at Adams-Green Funeral Home, Herndon, Va. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, at Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, Va.