Catherine “Kit” M. (Goodyear) Kessler passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Masonic Village of Elizabethtown.
She was born in Upper Allen Twp., Cumberland County on Nov. 29, 1923, to the late Charles M. and Mae Catherine (Scheafer) Goodyear. Spending much of her life as a nurse, caring for others, she spent the past few years being cared for by the “special” nurses and staff at Masonic Village; the family thanks you so much.
Kit and her brother, Bud, grew up at the Masonic Children’s Home in Elizabethtown. Her first husband, George Hihn, was raised at The Patton Home in Elizabethtown. Kit graduated from Temple University spending six months at The Greenbriar when it was converted to a hospital during WWII, caring for wounded soldiers.
Kit was remarried to a grade school friend, and superintendent of Cedar Crest School District, Dr. Marlin Kessler. They enjoyed many happy years traveling, rooting for Penn State, and welcoming 25 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Ronald Hihn and his wife, Alice, of Harrisburg, Linda Graci, of Palmyra, Gary Hihn, of Harrisburg, Karen Schultz and her husband, Gregory, of Mohnton, Susan Capriotti, of Lebanon, Marilyn Vinansky and her husband, Robert, of Charlotte, NC, Kristine Cox and her husband, David, of Radnor, PA, Kurt Kessler, of Radnor, PA, a son-in-law, William Nessler, of Havertown, PA, sister, Arlene Houck, sister-in-law, Donna Miller, sister-in-law, Jennette Miller, and sister-in-law, Bonnie Still.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, George Hihn, brother, Charles Goodyear and his wife Loni, husband, Dr. Marlin Kessler, daughter, Linda Nessler, sister, Gerri Barrows and her husband Donald, brothers, Dale Miller, Ray Miller, and Harry (Art) Still and brother-in-law John Houck.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 618 E. Main Street, Annville. Please follow COVID-19 protocols, we ask that you wear a mask and social distance.
Interment will be held privately at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. There will be a viewing from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to, Masonic Children’s Home, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
