Helen Irene Kissel

Helen Irene Kissel, a longtime resident of Monterey County passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at the age of 90. She will be remembered as a gentle and kind soul who loved books and classical music.

Helen was born on February 28, 1935 in Wilkie, Saskatchewan where she grew up on a farm without modern conveniences. She was raised by hardworking parents, Emma and Robert Meske, who had immigrated from Romania. Helen was one of six children; she had a brother and three sisters, as well as a brother who died in infancy.

After high school, Helen studied piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music and worked for the Royal Bank of Canada in clerical and stenographic roles. For many years afterward, she continued to write notes and personal journals in shorthand. At the age of 22, she began working for the Canadian Department of External Affairs and moved to New York City for a posting at the Canadian Mission to the United Nations. She was the only one of her siblings to relocate to the United States.

While living in New York, Helen met her husband and raised their two daughters. In 1975, the family moved to Pacific Grove, California. Helen later graduated from Monterey Peninsula College in 1980 with an Associate’s Degree in Data Processing Operations. During her time at MPC, she also pursued coursework in philosophy, psychology, and English, and wrote many personal essays—treasured discoveries for her daughters decades later. In 1991, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Helen enjoyed a successful twenty-year career, from 1978 to 1998, as a Word Processor for the Monterey County Office of the District Attorney in the Family Support Division. After retiring, she enrolled in computer and law classes, traveled abroad, and became an active member of the First Church of God in Pacific Grove, where she played piano and organ for the congregation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Robert Meske, as well as her husband Caslen (Cass) Kissel. She is survived by her daughters, April Kissel of Takoma Park, Maryland, and Robin Degtjarewsky of Pacific Palisades, California, as well as her sister, Lorraine Meske of Toronto, Canada.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Songbird Care Homes for the care, compassion, and kindness shown to Helen in her final years.

Inurnment will take place at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove on February 27, 2026 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to UNICEF or the Alliance on Aging by clicking on the links below.