Marsha Kessler

Marsha P. Kessler, of East Chatham, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital with her son Peter by her side. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 18, 1936 to the late Paul and Ida (Levy) Markow.

Marsha was fiercely protective of those she loved: her husband Aaron, her children Peter and Jane, her grandsons Jacob and Zachary, and her large circle of family and friends.

Marsha had a long and distinguished career in serving the needs of others, first as a social worker in Harlem, and then as a New York City public school teacher, again in Harlem.

She subsequently was involved in Special Education, including leadership roles in the Orton-Gillingham Society. She served as the Dean of Education at York Preparatory School for many years, then established and led the Churchill Center in Manhattan, which serves students with learning disabilities.

When she retired, Marsha and Aaron’s home in East Chatham became her permanent residence.

Marsha is predeceased by her husband, Aaron Kessler; her mother, Ida Ann Levy Markow; her father, Paul Mikhailovich Markow; her brother, Alexander Alan Markow; and her brother, Mitchell Jerome “Mickey” Markow

Graveside services for Marsha will take place at the Chatham Jewish Cemetery at 10:00am on Friday July 31, 2026. Arrangements have been entrusted to Robert M. Donaghue, French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. 

Memorial donations in Marsha's memory can be made to The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, N.Y. 12205, or to The Chatham Synagogue Cemetery Fund via check to TCS/NT, PO Box 51, Chatham, N.Y. 12037, or online here.