Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory - Durham

1113 W. Main St

Durham, North Carolina

Margaret Fessler Obituary

Margaret Lovelace Fessler, age 98, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2018, in Durham NC. Margaret was a proud and dedicated mother, citizen, civil servant, and Kansan. She grew up in the Great Depression, began work early, married, had a daughter, was widowed in her early 40s, and eventually went on to a distinguished career as a secretary in the U.S. Department of State, serving in Geneva, Damascus, London and Beijing.

Margaret was born on November 25, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama to Thomas Pickens and Nannie Lee (Mims) Lovelace. She took a secretarial training course in the 1930's, after which she moved to Washington to work for the federal government, serving eventually as a secretary for the Army Air Force (AAF) Weather Wing. While assigned to Asheville NC, she met Max Everett Fessler, meteorologist for the AAF, a PhD candidate in statistics from Columbia Business School and a native Kansan. They were wed June 4, 1949 at Danforth Chapel on the University of Kansas campus where Max was a professor. Their only child Sally was born in May 1954. Max died suddenly of a heart attack in May of 1963 and Margaret raised Sally alone while working in the Chancellor's Office at the University.

In 1975, Margaret began a new career in the foreign service. She worked for the Department of State for four tours of duty around the world, serving her country with her characteristic attention to detail and exacting, quality work. She traveled extensively, both during her time in the foreign service as well as after retirement. She returned to Lawrence, KS in 1984 and moved to Durham, NC in 2006. In recent years, she was a resident of the Durham Regent, where she made many new friends.

Margaret was an avid reader and engaged citizen, who fondly remembered FDR and watched MSNBC and Rachel Maddow with zeal. During the 2016 election, she was proud to write 240 letters to infrequent women voters in support of Hillary Clinton's candidacy for President. Margaret also had great love for animals, in particular, cats and pet mice.

She is survived by her daughter Sally K. Fessler, son-in-law David A. Kirkpatrick, and granddaughter Grace Y. Kirkpatrick. She asked to be remembered by donations either in support of the Max E Fessler Dissertation Award, which provides awards to deserving PhD students in the KU School of Business, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044, or to the the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E 19th St, Lawrence KS 66046, for the care and re-homing of companion animals. A memorial service will be held for Margaret on October 20 at 3 p.m., Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701, with interment of ashes at Pioneer Cemetery at the University of Kansas at a later date.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Oct. 5, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Fessler

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

Condolences to you and your family. We have fond memories of time Margaret spent with our father, Sam Marks at the Durham Regent.

Jane and Mike Dyson

October 15, 2018

Sally and family: I'm sad to hear of your loss. I remember your mother as very welcoming to an annoying child in your up to then sedate home.

Rita L Sooby

October 13, 2018

Please accept my condolences on the passing of your mother. May the passage at James 1:13 be a comfort to you.
Maureen

October 12, 2018

What a beautiful obituary for Margaret. I will always remember her quiet attentiveness, her grace, her care with words, and her lovely smile. Her strength of character came through in everything she did, and she educated me on the special friendships we can form with rats as companion animals. I'm honored to have known her.

Kathryn Kirkpatrick

October 7, 2018

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Margaret Fessler's name

Memorial Events
for Margaret Fessler

Oct

20

Memorial service

3:00 p.m.

Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory - Durham

1113 W. Main St, Durham, NC 27701

Funeral services provided by:

Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory - Durham

1113 W. Main St, Durham, NC 27701

How to support Margaret's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Margaret Fessler's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more