Mona Lou Kessler of Manassas, Virginia passed away on Saturday morning, September 30th, 2023 at her residence at Arbor Terrace Sudley Manor. She is survived by her daughters Krista Curtiss (Drew) and Kimberly Renzi (Christopher). She was the beloved grandmother to David Curtiss, Alan Curtiss and Miranda Renzi. Mona Lou is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Miller (Newark, NY) and half-sister, Avonelle Jones (Bingham Farms, MI). Donna Boyer, her dearest friend of 85 years, also treasures her memory.

Mona Lou was born in Luthersburg, PA on March 21, 1934. She was adopted as a toddler and raised by William and Grace Cribbs. She graduated from Brady Township High School in 1952. On August 13, 1955 Mona Lou married her high school sweetheart, David Kessler. They moved to Pittsburg, then to Punxsutawney, and then to New Castle, PA. In 1965 they moved their family to Manassas, VA and joined Grace United Methodist Church. Her favorite activity at church was rocking the babies in the nursery.

Mona Lou was a homemaker while her girls were young. Then she went to work in real estate property management and then she went to work for Verizon until 1996 when she and David both retired. They became snowbirds in Fort Myers, Florida each winter with their friends Bob and Donna Boyer. They also took cruises to Alaska and some Caribbean islands with friends and made a visit to London.

As a talented seamstress and needleworker, Mona Lou sewed many of her girl’s clothes and continued to refine her skills making coats and suits. She was a member of the Oatlands and Seagrape chapters of the Embroiders Guild of America. Mona Lou made many beautiful items for family members and friends but also dozens of prayer quilts and knit blankets to be given away. She also made seasonal banners for the church. Her legacy of beautifully handcrafted items will remain as treasured heirlooms for her family and friends.

The role of caregiver to her David was Mona Lou’s most selfless gift. For the last eight years of his life, she was nurse, chef, and prayer partner. She spent hundreds of hours by his side during transfusions and painful treatments at NIH and hospitals. They were blessed with the prayers and support of so many friends and family to lift their spirits.

Mona Lou will be laid to rest next to her beloved David in Luthersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, please honor our mother’s love of music by making a donation to the music program here at Grace or your local church.

Donations can be sent to: Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas, VA 20110
Please put “Mona Lou Kessler Memorial” in For line of your check.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com

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