Diane Myers Kessler

ASHEVILLE - Diane Myers Kessler, age 74, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, N.C. She was born on July 7, 1950, to Edward Arthur and Beverly Maag Myers. Diane grew up in Orrville, Ohio, alongside her older sister, Barb, and younger brother, Denny.

Though the family moved to Fort Myers, Florida, just before her senior year of high school, she always considered herself a Red Rider and kept in close touch with the Orrville High Class of ‘68. She received her nursing degree from Florida State University in 1972 and worked for 32 years at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, touching many lives as a nurse educator and mentor.

In 1979, she married John Kessler, with whom she raised two children, finding great pleasure in supporting their endeavors in choral groups and crew teams. Diane was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, where she served as an elder, deacon, Stephen’s Minister, bell ringer, and a constant presence in the choir. Diane and John moved to Asheville, N.C., in 2023 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Diane possessed a deep curiosity and love for the natural world, which showed up in her collection of thriving houseplants, her birdfeeders and pollinator garden, and her photography of butterflies, hummingbirds, and the night sky. She enjoyed traveling to new destinations and whipping up everything from stuffed animals to bridesmaid dresses on one of her eight sewing machines. She was a voracious reader and immersed herself in all she loved, including cross-stitch, Florida State football and baseball, and baking beloved family recipes.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Barbara Jean Boss. She is survived by her loving husband, John; daughter, Kimberly Mallory and her husband, Kevin, of Candler, N.C.; son, Scott Kessler and his wife, Cat, of Weaverville, N.C.; three grandsons, Quentin, Liam, and Rainan; brother, Dennis Myers and his wife, Gunnhild, of Fort Myers, Fla.; many nieces and nephews; and beloved extended relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville, with Rev. Patrick Johnson officiating and a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Elizabeth House, https://fourseasonsfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-today/.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Kessler family. Condolences may be offered under her obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.