EDNA L. (RHODES) TESSINA, 101, of Webster, New York, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024.
Edna was born in Pavilion, NY. She grew up and attended school in Oakfield, New York, and graduated from what was then called Brockport State Teachers College. Edna taught briefly in Wellsville after college, and later resumed her teaching career at Townline Elementary School in Alden, NY. She was a long-time Buffalo Bills and Boston Celtics fan. Edna loved her family, friends and students, and the feeling was mutual.
She was everyone's mom. She loved music, played piano and organ for productions at college and sometimes at church. After moving back to her childhood home upon retirement to care for her mother for 12 years, Edna sang in the choir at Oakfield United Methodist Church. She later moved to Webster to be near family, and lived with her daughter and son-in-law for 8 years before her recent move to The Maplewood nursing home, where she received loving care from an exceptional staff.
Edna is predeceased by her husband, LeRoy Tessina Sr.; her parents, Florence and Ralph Rhodes Sr.; sisters, Vivian Roman and Ruth Rhodes; brother Ralph Rhodes, Jr ; sons, LeRoy Tessina Jr., Thomas Tessina and Jon Tessina; and grandchildren, Kevin Tessina and Melissa Tessina. Edna is survived by her children, Francis (Mary) Tessina Sr., Ruth (Gary) German, and Michael (Lynn) Tessina Sr.; grandchildren, Francis Tessina Jr., Jonathan (Kim) Cortes, Christina (Junior) Prinz, Michael Tessina Jr., Matthew (Lindsey) German, and William Tessina, 13 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, and many dear nieces,
nephews and friends.
There will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of Edna's family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Play It Forward Fund, Eastman School of Music, Office of Advancement, 26 Gibbs St, Rochester NY 14604 (to fund tuition scholarships for music lessons or camps
for school children); or to the Oakfield United Methodist Church, 2 S. Main St, Oakfield, NY 14125.
