Margaret M. Henry

Margaret M (Kesler) Henry, 94, passed away peacefully at Kingston of Marion on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Margaret was born in Ti n Ohio on May 4, 1931 the youngest of four children of the late Leroy Clark Kesler and Muriel Elsie (Young) Kesler. Margaret, her mother, and her brother George moved to Washington, DC when she was 8 years old following the death of her father so her mother could take a job as a census clerk. Margaret graduated from Anacostia High School in Washington DC where she was a member of the rifle team and won a Sharp Shooter medal for marksmanship. She then attended the University Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated in 1952.
Margaret began working as a surgical nurse at the University of Maryland hospital, eventually becoming Operating Room Supervisor. She then moved to Columbus, OH where she became Head Operating Room Nurse at The Ohio State University, working alongside the renowned Dr. Arthur G. James during his surgical treatments for cancer. Her final stop as a nurse was as Head Surgical Nurse at Marion General Hospital where she happened to meet Harold F Henry, whom she married on April 16, 1967, gaining not only a husband but two sons, Larry and Richard Henry. They enjoyed five years of marriage before his untimely passing in 1972. Margaret retired from nursing in 1973 and spent the next year traveling with one of the most special friends of her life, Margaret Delmar. Theirs was an enduring friendship spanning decades and included travel and adventures galore.
The Margarets began those adventures with a nine-month journey throughout much of the United States, including many memorable visits to the American Virgin Islands to spend time with Margaret Delmar's father, Sidney. Their travels took them overseas on many occasions to include a ride on the Orient Express and a highlight being Margarets three deeply meaningful trips to the Holy Land in Jerusalem. She was especially honored to baptize her beloved friend, Margaret Delmar, along with two others, in the Jordan River. Everywhere they went, Margaret delighted in the immaculate details of the history, the beauty of the sights, and the wonder of the world around her. They also loved visiting National Parks and pulling their tents out of their car to camp for the night.A woman of deep and abiding faith, Margaret was a devoted member of the Mount Vernon Ave Church of Christ, where she volunteered wherever and however she could. She took particular joy in serving as the nurse for their group during trips to Round Lake Christian Camp. She and another dear friend, Vonda Wesner, were dedicated leaders of the Keenager program, but she always called them the "old dogs" - and she dearly loved teaching those "old dogs" new tricks! She also taught Sunday School for many years and was passionately committed to supporting local food banks. She gave her time and her money to support the Mid Ohio Food Bank and inspired many others to lend a hand.
Always up for adventure, Margaret's love for travel and new experiences led to her taking the entire Henry clan White Water Rafting for her 60th birthday, repelling at church camp, hot air ballooning, and taking rides in a helicopter as recently as last summer. She was fearless. One of her favorite things to say was to "ask for forgiveness, not permission" and that is exactly how she went through life: Boldly, unapologetically, and helping anyone she could along the way.
Saving the best for last, her final and dearest friendship came during a fishing trip with a group of friends from church. Margaret and Marge Thompson knew each other but after that fishing trip in New York State, Margaret told everyone that "God threw us into a boat and we came out sisters." Margaret and Marge spent the last ten years making memories and having adventures of their own, with Margaret becoming honorary family to the Thompson clan and showing once again that family is not always defined by blood, but who your heart chooses.
That is Margaret Henry's legacy - she found us all and called us family and took care of us and we will never be the same without her.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Harold F Henry; her son Larry G Henry Sr; and her parents and three brothers Cletus Poland, and Gilbert and George Kesler.
She will be missed by her friend and caregiver Marge Thompson, son Richard (Cathy) Henry, daughter in law Sherron (Larry Sr) Henry; grandchildren Brad Henry, David (Maggie) Henry, LG (Lisa) Henry, Christin (Eric) Lehnhart, and Robyn (David) Chessman. Nine great-grand children: Emily(Chris) Colatruglio; Tyler (Samantha) Henry; Brady, Parker and Regan Henry; Sam and Jack Henry; and Jenna and Natalie Lehnhart. Three great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and too many family members of her heart to name.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Tranquility Hospice and the sta of the Memory Care unit at Kingston - the kindness, compassion, and care they gave to not only Margaret, but to the whole family was deeply appreciated.
Visitation for Margaret will be held Monday, December 1, 2025 from 4 - 7 PM at Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ, 947 Mt. Vernon Avenue., Marion, Ohio. Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ, 947 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Marion, Ohio, with Pastor Jeff Bush officiating. Burial will take place at Marion Cemetery following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Consolidated Fire District, 115 N. High St., Caledonia, Ohio 43314; the Mount Vernon Ave Church of Christ (mva.churchcenter.com/giving); or Round Lake Christian Camp (roundlake.org/giving-opportunities).
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to serve Margaret's family, and condolences may be shared with them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.