Established in 2007

Margaret North Gessler passed away in January 2007 after a long illness. Her extraordinary life was filled with family, art, friendship and learning. Margaret Gessler was a respected Nashville artist whose career began with her apprenticeship in the Medical Illustration Department at Vanderbilt University in 1935. There Margaret met her husband, Carl, and they settled in Donelson and had four children. Their youngest daughter, Cathy, was a child with Down syndrome. After Cathy’s death in 1974, Margaret championed children with disabilities. Another of Margaret’s daughters earned her doctorate in Special Education, making it her career focus. This Fund benefits the Susan Gray School’s work to serve young children with developmental disabilities and those at risk for developmental delay.