Mary E. Kessler

Mary Elizabeth Kesler was born October 12, 1943 to Rev. A. Dean Kesler, Sr and Virginia Peters Kesler in Gettysburg, PA. As the daughter of a Methodist minister the family moved during her early years with each change in church assignments. During Mary’s high school years, the family lived in Damascus, MD where she graduated from Damascus High School in 1961 as class valedictorian.

Mary graduated from Randolph-Macon Women’s Collage, now Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va in 1965 with a major in music – organ performance. She continued her education at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where she received a Master of Music degree. In 1966 she started teaching music at Foxcroft School in Middleburg, VA. In 1971 she moved to Hockaday School in Dallas, TX where she was extended opportunities in school administration including becoming the Assistant Head of School. After fifteen years at Hockaday, she left to become the Head of Agnes Irwin School outside of Philadelphia. She was involved in several professional organizations during her career. Among them she served as trustee of several independent schools, was President of the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors and Trustee of The College Board.

In 1988, Mary’s career took a major turn when she accepted an offer to return to Dallas to establish The Education Group, an independent school placement and search firm, for which she eventually became President & CEO. Mary was no longer working in schools but was now working with schools. Her extensive professional contacts; her love and concern for people and ease of interacting with them; her awareness of educational issues; and her sensitivity to the challenges that faced independent schools contributed to The Education Group’s strong success.

Mary retired in 2013 moving to Carolina Trace in Sanford to be near her family. The area was perfect for her to enjoy two of her life passions. Singing in her church choir and in her free time, she could always be found on the golf course.

Mary leaves behind her beloved two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Jackson and Emmy. Due to her love of dogs, her heart pacemaker which can’t be reused by humans can be sterilized and used in dogs. It is being donated to an organization in Fayetteville. She is also survived by her older brother Dr. A. Dean Kesler, Jr; niece Susan Kesler, her partner James Dowd and step-daughter Ariel Sibbett; niece Rebecca Kesler, her children Caitlyn and August; and niece Jennifer Kesler Edwards and her husband, Joel (JoJo) Edwards.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Wednesday, December 17th at 2pm. Family will receive friends after the service in the Davenport Christian Life Center.

In lieu of flowers and especially plants, please make a donation in her name to the St. Luke United Methodist Church Foundation, the St. Luke church music fund or a charity of your choice.