Helen Plaskett Kessell, age 86, of Frederick, MD, passed away Thursday,  December 14, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Ministries Nursing Home, Emmitsburg, MD.  Prior to moving to Frederick, Helen resided for over 58 years with her late husband, Gerald G. Kessell, in their home on Marmary Road, Gaithersburg, MD.  Helen and Gerald were married 66 years until his death on June 2, 2015.  In addition to being a wife and a homemaker, Helen worked for 18 years with the Montgomery County Public Schools as a Playground Aide.

Surviving Helen are her children:  Danny and his wife Bonnie of Land O’ Lakes, FL; Susan (Gray) Eisenberg and her husband Russell of Fairfield, PA; Kimberly Hill and her husband Michael of Frederick, MD; and Daughter-in-Law Barbara Eader Kessell of Woodsboro, MD.  She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren:   Shawn Kessell and wife Linda, their daughters, Tori (her husband Nick and their son Ryan), Faith, and Emma; Kelly Artiles and husband Mark, their daughter Madison;  Matthew Gray and wife Christie, their daughter Leah;  David Gray and his wife Ammie, their children Dawson, Maxwell, and Emily; Amber Smart and her husband Seth, their daughters Daisy and Lilah; and Laurel Hill.  Helen also had a special place in her heart for Brenda Dove Ernst and the late Jamie Dove.

Born February 28, 1931, in Washington Grove, MD, Helen was the oldest daughter of the late Merton and Mae Dove Plaskett.  Helen grew up in Harwinton and Torrington, CT.  Her surviving siblings are Nancy (Harold) Goodwin and Tommy (Kathy) Plaskett; siblings-in-law Jeannie Harner Roswell, Faye Mathias, Jack (Becky) Kessell, Dottie Kessell, and Ella Kessell; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Helen was also preceded in death by grandson Aiden Artiles; sisters Shirley (Oscar) Rarick and Martha Burroughs; parents-in-law Paul and Viola Kessell; sister-in-law Wanda Roswell; brothers-in-law Earl Kessell, Gary Kessell,  Jim Kessell, Eugene Harner, Wilmer Mathias, and William Roswell; David Gray (father of grandsons Matt and Dave); and others greatly missed.  Helen will also be reunited with many beloved pets at the Rainbow Bridge.

The family would like to thank the staff and Nuns at St. Joseph’s Ministries Nursing Home and her roommate Carol England for their support and care during her stay.

Family will receive family and friends Thursday, December 21, at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD  20872, from 10 am until the Funeral Service begins at 11 am.  Burial will follow the Service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, adjacent to Bush Creek Church of the Brethren, 4821 Green Valley Road, Monrovia, MD  21770.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.molesworthwilliams.com