Theo M. Wessell

Theo Margret (Brouse) Wessell “Gaga” (78) of Oberlin, passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2019.  She was surrounded by her loving husband, daughters and grandchildren.  Theo was born July 21, 1941 and grew up in Wellington, Ohio, the daughter of Kenneth Penrose and Florence Larissa Brouse.  She graduated from Wellington High School in 1959 and then attended Fairview School of Nursing and graduated as an RN in 1962.   She headed to California with some nursing friends to start their nursing careers and lived under the “Hollywood” sign.  After a few years, “home” was calling and she returned to Wellington and began working at Allen Hospital as the Shift supervisor.  In 1965 she married Don Wessell and joined him as business partner and Director of Nursing at Welcome Nursing Home.  She devoted her entire career and life to “People Helping People”. She had high standards and expected the same from everyone that life put into her path.  Her expectations continued even after she and Don retired in 2000.

Don and Theo have four daughters and 12 wonderful grandchildren.  Theo loved nothing more than spending time with her family.  There was always something to celebrate and she was the party planner extraordinaire.  She had a knack for making Taco Tuesday as special as a Disney Trip.  She loved spending time in Marblehead Ohio, boating to the Islands of Lake Erie with her family and traveling with lifelong friends internationally. She made fast friends wherever she went.   

Theo was a fierce advocate for continuing education and serving others.  She and Don were instrumental in establishing the Oberlin School Endowment Fund in 1986 and a Named Scholarship for Long Term Care Education with the Ohio Health Care Association in 2001. She was proud to be an Honorary Rotarian an organization that she was involved with for many years as a Rotary Ann.  Rotary’s moto of “Service Above Self” was how Theo lived her life. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Don Wessell of Oberlin: daughter Jill Herron (Steve) of Vermilion; Kelly Wessell (Shane Sowers) of Medina; Heidi Freas (Adam) of Oberlin; and Meghan Foisy (Chris) of Lorain.  Grandchildren, Andrew, Samuel, Luke, Theo, Morgan, Jack, Emerson, Adam, Larissa, Christopher, Nathan, Adeline, and Aaron.  As well as many loving nieces and nephews locally and in California. 

She was preceded in death by her father Kenneth Brouse; mother Florence Brouse;  sisters Joanne Kyle, Mary Jane Frey, Jackie Wilson; and brother Charles “Bubbie”  Kyle.

Her fantastic life will be celebrated on Friday, December 6, 2019 at First United Methodist Church of Oberlin (45 South Professor Street).  A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11:00AM in the church sanctuary.  Family will greet people after the service.  A private family burial will follow in the Spring. 

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made to the Oberlin School Endowment Fund, Ohio Health Care Association Education Foundation, or Oberlin Rotary Charitable Fund.

Rest in Peace our Sweet Lady Gaga.  

Oberlin Schools Endowment Fund thru the Community Foundation of Lorain County….9080 Leavitt Road, Elyria, OH 44035   440-774-1458

The Educational Foundation of the Ohio Health Care Association….55 Green Meadows Drive, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035   614-436-4154The Oberlin Rotary Club Memorial Fund…. PO Box 123 Oberlin, OH  44074
 

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