Anne Dionisio Kessel, 76
Anne Dionisio Kessel, 76, passed away suddenly on May 17, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Maynard.
Anne was born April 24, 1950, in Acton to Dominick and Elizabeth Dionisio. She and her two sisters, Lisa Dionisio and Susan Dionisio, grew up on Assabet Avenue. Their father owned Dominick’s Market, a grocery store in West Acton where Anne spent many hours as a teenager, working the register, close to her father. A highlight of her teens was seeing The Beatles perform live during their 1964 North America tour.
Anne attended Acton Public Schools and graduated from Acton-Carlisle High School in 1968. She was artistic and took pride in being responsible for the set of her high school musical, “Oklahoma!”
Anne went on to graduate from Colby Junior College in 1970 with an associate’s degree. After college, Anne worked as a medical secretary at Boston Children’s Hospital while sharing an apartment with close college friends in Boston. She soon met and married Robert Kessel, with whom she raised their daughter, Carolyn.
Anne worked at local businesses, including the Robb Report in Acton, welcoming visitors as a receptionist. Her true passion, though, was those closest to her. Anne was a devoted daughter and a nurturing mother. She tended to her parents as they aged and adored her daughter. Anne’s grandsons were the joy of her later adult life, especially caring for them and establishing traditions like pizza lunches with Nanna on Friday afternoons. Anne also enjoyed hosting friends and making her home warm, welcoming, and beautiful, and guests often complimented her on her taste.
Anne made people feel welcomed and valued. Through the gifts she purchased for friends and family, Anne showed her sense of humor, whimsy, and thoughtfulness. She loved playing trivia games with her circle of midlife friends, watching a TV drama, taking a few treasured trips to Europe, and annually visiting her favorite place, Rockport, with her family. She loved poking in the shops on Bearskin Neck, listening to the waves, and seeing happy children, most of all her grandchildren, on Front Beach.
Anne is survived by her daughter Carolyn Kessel Stewart, her son-in-law Greg Stewart, and her grandchildren Ben and Andrew Stewart. She was predeceased by her parents Dominick and Elizabeth Dionisio and her sisters Lisa and Susan Dionisio.
A private burial will take place at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at First Parish in Acton on June 24 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Parish in Acton, 20 Lexington Road, Acton, MA 01742-2525.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or a condolence on Anne’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
