Patricia Mary Gessler

Patricia was born in June of 1932 in Auburn, New York, the youngest daughter of Theodore Jesse Dickerson McComber and Mildred J. McComber (White). When she was 5 her family moved to the town of Scriba, New York, where her parents owned a small farm. She completed her studies in education at SUNY Oswego and taught elementary school. Shortly after graduation, she married Edward R. Gessler (Edelburg).

Patricia, or “Pat” as she liked to be called, leaves behind 3 children: Mark R. Gessler, Lauren (Joan) Gessler, and Thomas Gessler, 2 granddaughters: Sarah Gessler-Smith and Carena Sawyer Gessler, and 4 great-grandchildren: Mykah Sawyer, Aniya Sawyer, and Max Gessler and Grace Gessler. She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and countless dear and precious friends.

Pat acquired her Master’s degree in counseling in 1969 and moved the family to Tacoma, WA where she worked as a school counselor for the Tacoma Public Schools until retirement. She received the “Best Teacher” award from the students at Hunt Jr. High School one of the last years she worked there.

She was a avid walker and participated in many “Volks Marches” – receiving many pins from those walks and she proudly displayed them in her home. She kept walking diligently and with purpose for the rest of her life. The neighbors, and particularly the neighbors’ dogs, all well remember Pat walking by and giving attention and treats to their dogs. Pat loved dogs.

She enjoyed singing, gardening, farmer’s markets, art, travel and Pat was a lifelong student/learner.

She was an active and involved member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tacoma for nearly 56 years. For those wishing to make a donation in honor of Patricia Gessler, the family recommends the American Heart Association as a charity that was close to her heart.