Patricia Ann Kessler

Patricia Ann Kessler, 87, of Johnstown, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Pat was born on Jan. 23, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio, daughter to the late Betty Ricketts. She was raised lovingly by her mom and two aunts, Elsie and Pauline Hummel.

Pat was a graduate of Linden-McKinley High School and attended Capital University, where she was a 1957 homecoming queen and a 1958 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education. After graduation, she briefly taught and coached tennis at Upper Arlington High School before coming to the Johnstown-Monroe School District, where she taught at Johnstown High School for 35 years. Pat’s life’s work was in the noble profession of education. During her influential teaching career, she shaped minds, nurtured potential, inspired others, and molded generations of students. She was dedicated to making an impact on young people’s lives as a teacher, coach, mentor, producer, and director. And her influence was felt beyond the classroom, as she was notable for her leadership in numerous extra-curricular activities such as proms, school plays and variety shows. Pat was also the architect and designer of Johnstown’s original mascot, the Johnnie.

Pat was a leader in the community as well, producing and directing local residents in numerous variety shows at the Johnstown Opera House and Performing Arts Center. For the Johnstown Recreation Center, she was pivotal in raising funds to build the center’s original tennis courts and established an inaugural community tennis league.

Pat remained active in her retirement years with landscaping, sewing, quilting, embroidering, jigsaw puzzles, and tapestry coloring. Everything she did was of meticulous detail and exquisite beauty. She had a love for dogs (especially Portuguese Water Dogs) as they were her spirit animal, embodying her own qualities of loyalty, protection, and unconditional love. Pat was a quiet but intense competitor who loved sports. She was a passionate supporter of her sons’ and grandsons’ athletic endeavors.

While Pat had an indelible impact on the lives of many, her greatest impact was on her family. She is loved and survived by her husband of 65 years, Charles Kessler. They married in 1958 and came to Johnstown together where they committed their careers to the Johnstown-Monroe School District and became lifelong residents of the community. Pat is also loved and survived by her two sons, Jeff (Kim) and John (Shellie); grandchildren, Lindsay (Jeff) Pollack, Matt (Nattada), Daniel (Sarah), Michael (Cassandra), and Drew (Jessica); and seven great-grandchildren. Pat’s passion for education, athletics, music, and the arts will leave an enduring impression on her entire family and everyone she touched.

Per Pat’s wishes, there will be no public services. In lieu of funeral services and to celebrate both Pat and Chuck’s commitment to education, a foundation is being established to award college scholarships to Johnstown High-School graduates who aspire to be teachers and major in education. Contributions may be made to the:

Charles & Patricia Kessler Foundation

3910 Caswell Rd., Johnstown, OH 43031