Conna Bell Gesler

   Conna Bell Shaw Gesler, 80, of Hanover, PA, formerly of Albemarle Plantation, Hertford, NC and Florham Park, NJ, passed away on February 13, 2018 after a long illness.   Her husband of 58 years, Albert Martin Gesler, whom she met in high school when she lived in Mexico City, predeceased her. 

   Conna was born on September 22, 1937 in Elyria, Ohio and was the daughter of the late Dr. Carroll Kingsley Shaw and Conna Bell Shaw.

   From a young age, Conna had a deep passion and love of music and the piano.   She graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio where she studied music and continued this love by teaching piano to many students in which she took great pride in knowing most continued on in music.  She enjoyed sharing her incredible talent by playing recitals in many communities and for her church, but mostly enjoyed playing for Al.  She was very dedicated to bring the ability to have more music to her communities, by making it possible for the acquisition of a pipe organ at both Calvary Presbyterian Church in Florham Park and at the Hertford United Methodist Church.  Conna and Al both helped start and run a free summer music program at the Gazebo in Florham Park, NJ.   She was very active in every community she lived and was a valued participant in the Stephens Ministry program in Hertford which lends support to those in need. 

   Conna was a beautiful, talented soul who brought joy to life.  Her infectious smile and laughter will be missed by everyone; to know her was to love her.  She loved her husband and family deeply, was always proud of her children and grandchildren and she had an incredible bond with her three sisters that will be never ending. 

   She is survived by her son, Richard Carroll Gesler and his wife Gianine of Mountain Top PA, three grandchildren, Brianna, Brandon and Christian; her daughter Karen Ruth Gesler of Wilmington, NC; her three sisters, Elizabeth Shaw Weiner of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Carolyn Dickinson Shaw of Middletown, CT, and Lucinda May Shaw of Alexandria, VA; several nieces and nephews and their families.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all that were blessed to know her.

   A Memorial Service will be held on May 5th at 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary Presbyterian Church located at  144 Ridgedale Ave, Florham Park, NJ  

   Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) on behalf of our mother, who courageously battled this disease and kept her sense of humor and dignity through it all. 

   Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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