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Grace Testani Obituary
Grace Marie Testani went to be with our Lord on May 21, 2020 after a long illness. Grace was born June 28th, 1950 in Endicott, NY. She lived most of her adult life in New York City pursuing a career as a jazz musician. She graduated from Union Endicott High School where she was class president and always remembered that time and her family in Endicott fondly. In 1972 she graduated from NYU with a degree in psychology.
Grace is predeceased by her parents, Josephine and Albert Testani. She is survived by her brother, Alan, and his wife, Lorraine. She will also be remembered by her niece and nephew, Adele Testani Tongish and Jeffrey M. Testani M.D., and her grandnieces, Alora Tongish, 11, Calla Tongish, 8, Faith Testani, 3, and her grandnephew, Luke Testani, 6.
Grace was a devoted Catholic. She will be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. A memorial service will follow at an appropriate time.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Grace Testani
Tony Heath
November 10, 2023
Met Grace in 1974 at Sounds Of Joy music studios. A lovely, supportive, cheerful young lady. May she rest in peace.
Bill Lambrinos
May 26, 2023
I have many memory´s of Grace. She was more than just a class mate. She was truly a friend through out our life´s. I spoke with her many time on the phone. And we keep in touch online for many years. You are truly missed by all who came to knew you.
Flemming Skaarup
May 1, 2021
Met lovely Grace at Blue Note in
2012 to Mark Murphy’s 80 birthday.
She was so Nice and loving.
Rest in peace ❤
Carl Spencer
April 1, 2021
Grace & I met in NY in 1973 & we were friends until I moved to Toronto Canada in 1975. She is one of the nicest, kindest, thrusting & accommodating people I ever had the pleasure of being friends with. I am so sorry to hear of her passing & also so sorry that I never kept in touch. My heart bleeds!
Charlotte
October 16, 2020
I was so, so sad to hear of the passing of Grace. I knew Grace for 25 years and it was just the most devastating news to hear of her passing. Such a lovely, generous, authentic, creative, fearless human being and artist. I can not believe that I will never get to visit her again in her apartment on the upper west side in NYC, talk to her about her work, my work, politics, art, friendship, relationships and more. She had such a profound impact on my life from a very young age and she leaves an immense void! Much love to her family and friends and hopefully she is performing with passion and conviction wherever she might be heading next. Wherever it is, they are lucky to have her. Love you, Grace!!
Judith Jorrisch
June 28, 2020
Beautiful musical Grace Testani - a friend and colleague since the 80s. I share my facebook post. "Such a voice - incredibly generous and talented performer, educator, arranger, composer and activist for poor and working people. Let's give her Youtube channel the support she deserves. Click on the link here, listen to her gorgeous voice and subscribe, like, you know the drill.
Grace Notes Music - The Singers Center planned to Produce a revival of the play Café Society about the first interracial Jazz club in Jazz's heyday here in America but her illness prevented it.
Our last musical outing together was to celebrate her musical and personal hero, the amazing Sheila Jordan receive the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation Satchmo Award.
Fought so long to be alive, continually creative, and giving. June 28, 1950 - May 21, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ext3jjutEI4
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone Grace Testani Something's Coming 1996 Grace Notes Enterprises Released on: 1996-01-01 Aut...
YOUTUBE.COM
Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone Grace Testani Something's Coming 1996 Grace Notes Enterprises Released on: 1996-01-01 Aut...
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone Grace Testani Something's Coming 1996 Grace Notes Enterprises Released on: 1996-01-01 Aut...
Sharon Nieminski
June 25, 2020
My condolences to all family and friends. Grace was always smiling, popular, and our Class was so blessed to have her in Union-Endicott High. Thank you for being such a humble leader and keeping all of us so entertained! A Class President is not an easy task.. You were always gracious and will always be admired in our hearts! Grace~I know you can see these writings in Heaven~
Love,
Sharon Nieminski ♡
Esther Blue
June 12, 2020
Beautiful voice and a beautiful soul
Sue Maskaleris
June 12, 2020
I knew Grace in the 70s and 80s and we became friends again on Facebook during the last 10 years. Praying for her during her recurrent illnesses, I admired her strength and endurance for this unusually bad deck of cards she was dealt. She was a gifted improviser of Jazz and passionate teacher. I was shocked to see that she left us May 21. I had just read one of her posts about needing prayers for the next medical event in the hospital. God bless you always, dear Grace.
Shurla Deane
June 12, 2020
Grace was a courageous light among us; she shone with her kindness, compassion, laughter, and a unique singing talent, especially for Jazz. She was a strong woman, who in the worst of times could still find some humor in those situations. She was always positive and cheerful. May she rest in peace, and may her family and friends find peace and comfort from the memories of her that you hold in their hearts.
Loretta Rotunno
June 9, 2020
A fierce intellect who taught me the power of intellect. Grace gave me support when it was most needed. I remember her with grace. RIP.
Loretta Rotunno
June 7, 2020
A fierce intellect who taught me the power of intellect. She was kind to me when I needed it most. I remember her with grace.
Will Lambrinos
June 6, 2020
miss you my dear friend until we meet again RIP. Gone but never forgotten!
Palmette Maney
June 3, 2020
RIP Grace. You were an amazing in your strength to continue your life. I will always remember that. You were loved and thought of so highly by your friends.
Gerry Grant
June 2, 2020
Rest in Peace Dear Friend. Your strength and courage have served as a huge inspiration in my life and I'm grateful to have known you. The world is a far better place having had you in it.
Gerry Grant
Suzanne Klewan
June 2, 2020
My most heartfelt condolences to her entire family & dear friends. A most wonderful person & musician. Grace will be missed, but her memory and music will live on.
Bruno CHARAVET (jazz photographer)
June 2, 2020
So long Grace, a wonderful singer
gail m clifford
June 2, 2020
The Family of Grace Testani,
Grace fought a great fight and her deep faith in God and the support of her friends..She is finally at peace with her Savior and in the loving arms of her mother and father. We are all heart broken that you have left us, but you are finally without pain. Soar with the Angels, Dear friend. Until we meet again. You are truly loved and deeply missed.
Gail Jaros Clifford
Denver, NC
HELEN THOMPSON
June 2, 2020
SORRY FOR OUR LOSS GRACE AND HER LOVE OF MUSIC INSPIRED MANY SINGERS,IT IS OUR LOSS AS GRACE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP. LOVE HELEN THOMPSON FB/JAZZ
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