Marjorie Ellen Kehler

Marjorie Ellen Kehler (70) Passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, of Alexandria, VA. Loving wife to C. Robert Kehler; loving mother to Matthew Scott Kehler (Danielle) and Jared Paul Kehler (Kaylee); sister to Richard Kitner, Phyllis Irwin (Jack), and Donald Kitner (Joan); grandmother to Aaron Joseph Kehler and Dustin Edward Kehler. She will truly be missed by many. Marj Kehler was a loving mother and grandmother, caring sister, accomplished professional, amazing wife, and active participant in her husband’s military career. Marj grew up in the North Hills section of Pittsburgh and attended North Allegheny High School and modeling school. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1971 and served until 1981 initially as a financial expert then as one of the first women to qualify as an air traffic controller. Her service took her to various duty locations including the Panama Canal Zone, Oregon, and Montana, where she met her future husband. Marj’s sons and grandsons were her pride and joy. She balanced her devotion as a mother and wife with her desire to get an accounting degree and spent countless hours preparing late into the night for her college classes. After 10 years of committed effort spanning four different universities, she received her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. Even after receiving her degree, she put her family first. Marj set aside her career aspirations until her children were older and then worked in a number of accounting positions as military life took her family across the country. She took enormous pride in nurturing her two sons and watching as they became outstanding young men. She was especially delighted to be blessed with two amazing grandsons. Marj was a full partner as her husband rose in the military ranks. Through his career and beyond she was his best friend, closest confidant, and wisest counselor. Her natural grace and selflessness drew people to her from all walks of life. She listened carefully, never judged, and made friends easily in the highly mobile military family environment. Marj’s patriotism and personal involvement in the welfare of the military and civilian communities earned her the respect and admiration of all with whom she associated. Her contributions continue to be seen and felt in many prominent institutions and key family and community support agencies across America. Her service organizing and sewing adaptive clothing for wounded warriors was a special commitment for her. She remains the love of her husband’s life. A woman of great Christian faith, love, and compassion, Marj was a parishioner of Nativity Lutheran Church where she was an active member of Simple Quilts for Charity, sewing and delivering quilts for those in need including wounded warriors. Her boundless faith formed the basis of the courage, determination, and serenity she showed during her 9 year battle with cancer and other medical issues. Marj’s greatest passions were her family, sewing, and cooking. Her family aches with her loss but is comforted knowing that she is at peace in God’s loving hands. Relatives and friends may call at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315 on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5-8PM. Funeral Service to be held at Nativity Lutheran Church, 1300 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, VA 22308, on Saturday, June 17, at 3PM. Interment at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) https://www.bcrf.org/ or METAvivor https://www.metavivor.org/.

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Marjorie Ellen Kehler

April 9, 1953 - June 6, 2023