Kathleen P. Kestler, 99

Kathleen Patricia (O'Sullivan) Kestler, age 99, of Meredith, passed away at home on July 11, 2026.

Born on May 31, 1927, in the Bronx, New York, Kathleen lived a long and fulfilling life marked by love, faith, and dedication to her family and community.

Kathleen was the beloved daughter of Maurice and Mary (Mae) (Lynch) O'Sullivan. She grew up in the Bronx alongside her siblings, Maurice "Sonny" O'Sullivan, Maureen Sheehy, Timothy O'Sullivan, Michael O'Sullivan, and two sisters who died as infants, Roseleen Theresa and Joan Ann. Her upbringing in a close-knit Irish Catholic family instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and selflessness that she carried throughout her life.

After completing her education, Kathleen began working for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Manhattan. There she met the love of her life, Raymond "Ray" Kestler. The couple married in 1953, and initially settled in Woodside, Queens, New York. In 1960, they moved, year-round, to a cabin in Meredith. Together with his brother and sister-in-law, Ray had been a long-distance co-owner and co-manager of summer vacation rental cabins on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, since 1948. Kathleen continued running the vacation cabins with Ray until shortly before his passing in 1987. After that, she continued by assisting her son Kenneth running the business. It was a venture that brought joy to countless guests over the years.

Kathleen will be remembered for her gentle spirit, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to those she loved. She was a loving mother to her daughter Maureen Kestler and son Kenneth Kestler. Her love extended beyond her immediate family to include many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Her touching of lives through acts of faith and service did not even stop with those she knew. Regardless of where she went, she never failed to do a kind deed or say something nice to strangers.

Faith played a central role in Kathleen's life. A devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Meredith. In her younger years she participated in church committees and activities and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Her commitment to service reflected her deeply held values of kindness and thoughtfulness toward others.

Visiting hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Mayhew Funeral Home in Meredith and a Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Meredith, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 23. Following Mass, interment will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Meredith, where Kathleen will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Ray.

May Kathleen’s memory bring comfort to all who knew her as they celebrate a life well-lived and deeply cherished. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org, or 320 Nevada St. Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460) or to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (P.O. Box 237, Meredith, NH 03253). Or, in keeping with Kathleen's spirit, simply say something nice to someone or do a kind deed for someone.