Tsurumi Okatani "Mariko" Kessler

Tsurumi Okatani "Mariko" Kessler, 91, of Fairhope, Alabama, passed peacefully from this life on March 25, 2022, at her son's home. Tsurumi was born February 15, 1931, in Japan. She met Lawrence Kessler, of the U.S. Air Force, and they were married in Japan in 1950. They relocated to the United States in 1955. Mr. Kessler's military career took them to a number of locations around the country, and they finally settled in Fairhope, next door to Lawrence's parents, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Lawrence preceded his wife in death in 1988. Surviving are son Alan (Crysta) Kessler, of Fairhope, and daughter Victoria Kessler of Mobile. Tsurumi's Buddhist faith and practice were very important to her. She was a member of Soka Gakkai International, a Nichiren Buddhist community which teaches that each person has within the courage, wisdom and compassion to face and surmount any of life’s challenges. Final arrangements are entrusted to Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes, and interment will be in Memory Gardens of Fairhope. No visitation or memorial services are planned at this time. The family would like to express a note of gratitude to Comfort Care Hospice for their support and assistance.