Marie P Tessier

Born November 13, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Marie (Balthazard) McGuire and James McGuire. Born and educated in Holyoke, she was a graduate of Holyoke High School in 1948 and Bay Path Junior College in 1950. She was a communicant of St. Thomas Church and a resident of West Springfield for many years. She worked as a dental assistant for her husband, Dr. Henry Tessier, Jr. She was a lifetime member of The Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, where she held offices. She was a chair of The Mercy Hospital Auxiliary Fund and led fundraisers. Marie was a co-founder of the “Friends of The West Springfield Library” and was an executive board member of The Friends. She was actively involved in library volunteer work over the years and aided in preparation for many library fundraising book sales. She also was a member of the Ramapogue Women’s Club. Marie was a prizewinning quilter and made many quilts for the Ronald McDonald House. Friends and family were gifted with many of her beautiful quilts, pillows and wall hangings over the years. She was a talented and generous woman. She frequently gifted charitable organizations with quilts for fundraising purposes. She lovingly put multiple hours in preparation of these quilts. She found quilting to be relaxing and enjoyed using vintage materials to create unique pieces. Marie was an avid tennis player and loved wintering on Jekyll Island, Georgia, where she had many friends. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed mystery novels. Marie loved music, particularly blues, soul and gospel music. Marie was predeceased by her son, Joseph, in 1982, her devoted husband Henry as well as her sister June Hanning. She leaves a son, Henry Tessier, III and his wife Lucila Plaza of Chicopee, daughters, Mary Tessier, of California and her dear friend Tatiana Starostina and Ann-Marie Tessier and her husband, Tracy Strombom, of New Hampshire. She will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten. The family would like to thank the caring staff of Agawam North Rehab and Heritage Woods in Agawam for their kind and thoughtful care of our mother, Marie. Marie’s Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 11:30AM from St Thomas Church with burial to follow in St Thomas Cemetery. A calling hour will be 10-11AM at the Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home 1043 Westfield St West Springfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to a charity focused on helping those who are in hunger.