Carol P. Cessna

On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Carol (Parsons) Cessna passed away peacefully in her sleep in Bonita Springs, Florida. Carol was a beloved mother and spouse and had just turned eighty-nine in October. Carol was born in 1933 to Lavinia and Paul Orda Parsons in Akron, Ohio. Carol and her sister Crystal graduated from Central High School in Akron where she was a cheerleader, home-coming queen and President of the National Honor Society. She went on to attend the University of Akron where she joined the Delta Gamma Sorority. After college, she attended stenography school on her way to becoming a career court reporter and stenographer. After years in the Summit County Courts, Carol was asked to create and teach a new court reporting curriculum at Stark County Technical College. She thoroughly enjoyed working with young, aspiring court reporters.

In 1960, she was introduced through a mutual friend to her future husband, William Hunter Cessna. They were married for forty-six years before Bill’s sudden death in 2007. Carol and Bill raised their sons, Stephen Paul Cessna, Christopher Hunter Cessna, and Burke Hunter Cessna in North Canton, Ohio from 1967 until retiring to Fort Myers, FL in 1996.

Carol was a lifelong golfer and member of Shady Hollow Country Club. She was also a competitive Bridge player and was awarded “Life Master” status by the American Contract Bridge League in 2002. Carol not only excelled at golf and Bridge, but she loved playing card and board games with her family and grandchildren. Bill and Carol also traveled extensively all over the world. More importantly, Carol loved meeting new people and had a natural way of making all strangers and friends feel welcome and loved.

Carol and Bill belonged to the Faith United Methodist Church in North Canton, Ohio since the late 1960s, and later the Estero Methodist Church while they were residents of the Vines Country Club (now the Estero Country Club) in Fort Myers, Florida. Carol was always very active with her church and had a strong faith which she shared with her family.

Carol was pre-deceased by her husband, Bill (08-22-2007), her son Stephen (01-12-2022) and her brother Robert Parsons. She is survived by sons, Burke Cessna (Kim Cessna) of Fort Myers and Christopher Cessna (Kelli Shuter Cessna) of Arvada, CO; grandchildren Mason, Carmel, Aiden and Sydney. Carol is also survived by her sister, Crystal Parsons of Akron, Ohio and family and many close friends.

Carol and Bill were dedicated philanthropists who contributed to numerous charities throughout their life. Carol had recently established a scholarship fund for young employees at the Cypress Cove Retirement Community before her death.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held from 5pm – 7pm on January 7, 2022 in the Edison Room of her Cypress Cove Community. You may call or text 720-319-7777 for more information.

In lieu of any flowers, donations to one of Carol’s favorite charities, Burning Bush Communities, Inc., can be made at this link: https://www.burningbushcommunities.org/give.php . Thank you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kiserfh.com for the Cessna family.