Frances Mary Kessel

Frances Mary Kessel of Duluth passed away on March 8, 2026 following a long illness. She was 89.

Fran was born April 24, 1936 in Watersmeet, Michigan to John and Mayme Maher. She was the youngest of four children. Fran attended Watersmeet schools and then followed her two older sisters to College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, where she studied to become a teacher.

In 1958, Fran married Bob Kessel and they settled in Saline, Michigan. Fran worked for the public school system and was a beloved elementary and middle-school teacher for over thirty years. Fran and Bob built a rich life in Saline. Fran’s uniquely friendly nature and generous spirit endeared her to neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances. She loved to carry a supply of cash in small bills to hand out to friends, relatives, those who helped her in stores and restaurants, and sometimes passersby. Her disarming openness and sense of humor led to many close friendships. She was beloved by her nieces and nephews.

Throughout her life, Fran was devoted to the Catholic faith. In her later years, Fran moved to Duluth to be near her sister and her mother. She continued to make friends and delight those she met in her new home. Even in her final illness, her caregivers and visitors recognized her generous and loving spirit.

Fran was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her siblings Jack Maher, Sister Johnetta Maher, Patricia Vidmar of Baltimore, and Margaret, who died in infancy.

Fran’s family is deeply indebted to the caregivers at Benedictine Living in all levels of care, especially the Safe Harbors team in the past few years, and the Essentia Health Hospice team which provided exemplary care and comfort throughout the end-of-lifeprocess.