Peggy-Anne Hessler of Vero Beach died on June 15 at her home following a lengthy illness. She was 82.

She was born in Homestead, Pa. in 1934 to Edward and Margaret (Harris) Denk and grew up in Waltham, Mass. She earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Boston University in 1957.

In 1959, she married Ron Hessler, and together they had two children. They settled in Marshfield, Mass., where she later became a teacher in the public schools, serving for 24 years. She and her husband relocated to Vero Beach upon her retirement.

She leaves her sons, Fred (Jolene) of Franktown, Colo. and Adam (Jeanne) of Harrisville, R.I.; her brother, Ed, of Lexington, Mass.; and two grandchildren, Sydney of Franktown, Colo. and Andrew, serving in the US Army in Germany.

She was preceded in death by her husband and by her sister, Susan Semmel.

Memorial gifts may be made to any animal welfare charity.