Obituary for
Cecilia Tessier
Cecilia Elizabeth Tessier (nee McGuire) passed away peacefully at the age of 91 years on March 7, 2022. She was living in long term care at the General Hospital and her children are very grateful to the staff for their kind, respectful and compassionate care. During her last days, Cecilia was surrounded and supported by her loving family.
Cecilia was born on March 28, 1930 to a large Catholic family with 11 brothers and sisters. She and her siblings were raised in the Calder area of Edmonton. She is survived by her seven loving children and their families, Robert (Arlene), Corinne (Robert), Michael, Joanne (Richard), Timothy (Nattalle), Suzanne, and Paul. Cecilia is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Alice, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Cecilia attended St. Edmunds and St. Mary’s Parishes. She worked at many of Edmonton’s old landmarks and businesses: Johnston Walkers, the Garneau Theatre, and the Mayfair Hotel. She worked for Canada Post for many years before retirement.
At age 20, Cecilia married Robert Tessier. They divorced when she was about age 33, and she did not remarry. As a single divorced mother, she faced many social and economic challenges with dignity and a determination to raise her children with love and acceptance.
Cecilia was a devout Catholic. She was always ready to add you to her prayer list and kept a rosary on hand for daily prayers. She often sent her children and grandchildren clippings about faith and hope, as well as treasured recipes. As a senior, Cecilia attended weekly mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica. Cecilia loved to sing at church and in a seniors choir.
Cecilia was compassionate and kind throughout her life. She had little to give, yet wholeheartedly gave with her heart and soul. Cecilia’s door was always open. She shared her table and home with friends, family and the needy. Neighbourhood kids were always welcome. Birthdays were special; she graced each of us with ‘the day you were born’ story, and three verses of the birthday song. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand to her children and grandchildren, as well as to her siblings and their children. She extended charity beyond her home and family, often providing a haven for the less fortunate, and supporting her community and society. For years, she contributed to charities such as the Foster Parents Plan of Canada. Cecilia was always ready to spare change and a kind word for street people.
Cecilia loved to travel. In earlier and more financially lean years, family travel was limited to an occasional week at local lakes, and one road trip to the coast. She and her sisters once shared a special trip when they travelled to Oklahoma where their mother was born and raised. Cecilia’s later travels include trips to the Holy Land, the British Islands, Ireland, Thailand, Japan, Europe, Hawaii, a cross-Canada road trip, as well as regular visits to see out-of-town children and siblings. Many of Cecilia’s trips were shared with her children and/ or grandchildren.
Cecilia embraced and accepted so much of life with optimism. She loved her morning coffee with her Edmonton Journal, as well as her 4 p.m. ‘Young and the Restless’ episodes. As her son Paul has often said, “Mom knew how to enjoy life and make the best of things.” As a younger woman, Cecilia loved to go out to the Legion with her sisters for a night of dancing followed by takeout Chinese food. She loved to visit with people of all ages and backgrounds, easily engaging with strangers; often making lifelong friends. With each person she met, her face lit up with a ready smile and open acceptance. She delighted in babies and young children and was often heard saying you’re ‘one of God’s baby angels.’ Cecilia had a number of favourite sayings for dealing with life and raising a house full of kids: ‘Wake up lazy legs, daylight in the swamps; you’ve got to face the music; I have a bone to pick with you; act as nice as you look; don’t make love at the garden gate; love is blind, but the neighbours ain’t;’ and as a call to dinner: ‘it’s all hot and ready, and it’s all red hot…’
Our mother was our hero: a humble and strong woman who raised seven children with love, kindness and pride. Dear beautiful mama you will be missed, and the love you touched us with will live on in our hearts – til we meet again.
Cecilia’s funeral will be held Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Basilica, 10044 – 113 Street, Edmonton. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow the mass.
Should you wish to make a donation in honour of Cecilia’s life, consider homelessness organizations, the food banks, as well as the Foster Parents Plan of Canada.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Cecilia
Tessier 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta