Esther Mae Hassell - Obituary

sther Mae Hassell was the eldest daughter of the late Uyless Edward Anderson and Sylvia Irene Anderson. She was born in Buckingham County, VA on March 26, 1938 in her grandparents John and Pokie’s house and spent her early childhood living in Monroe, NY (1938-1945). She attended Buckingham County Schools in Dillwyn, VA, Harrison High School in Harrison, NJ, and Paul Kimball School of Nursing in Lakewood, NJ. At the age of 19, Esther married Peter Hassell, of Newark, NJ on February 22, 1958. They had three sons, Peter Eric (b. 1958), Geoffrey David (b. 1961) and Bruce Phillip (b.1963). Her husband Peter was a military veteran, which required the family to move around a lot. They were stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany from 1972-1976 before Peter retired and began working for the federal government. The family settled in Maryland and a home in Largo in 1978. Esther Mae lived in the same house on Cascade Lane until 2025. She worked as a Substitute Special Education Teacher in Prince George’s County, MD from 1984 to 2003 and held a part-time job for nearly 30 years as a Sales Associate at Andrews A.F.B. Main Exchange. Loved by all who knew her, Esther Mae (also called Ma, MomMom, Ms. Esther, Mae, or Grandma) was known for being incredibly sweet, thoughtful, and kind. Her door was always open, and she would go out of her way to make sure you were ok. Her loving son, Geoffrey, was never too far from her side. She made sure to spoil him and make him feel special every chance she could. She liked the beach, cooking, going to the casino, and keeping her house together. She loved her family fiercely and was always thinking of and praying for her grandkids, all of whom she adored. Preceded in death by her husband, and two sons, ‘Petey’ and Bruce, parents, and brothers Bob, Jim, Johnny, and Glenn, she is survived by her son, Geoffrey Hassell; sisters JoAnn Perry, Donna Moore, and Gladys Fisher; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dear friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Esther's Life Celebration on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 11 A.M. until the start of the service at 12 P.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill MD 20745. Interment to be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.