Jeanette Victoria Tessaro

Jeanette Tessaro, 82, of Woodbridge, VA passed away on September 21, 2024. Jeanette was
born in Jersey City, NJ to Vito and Mary Menzella on February 9, 1942.
She was a proud graduate of Cliffside Park High School (NJ) class of 1959. She
married Ernie Tessaro on September 9, 1961 in Fairview, NJ.
Jeanette worked for The Equitable Insurance Company in New York City, and also
for the Kreisler Industrial Corporation in North Bergen, NJ. She later became a
directory assistance operator for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company and its
successors, Bell Atlantic and Verizon. Jeanette was a directory assistance
operator for over 25 years. Later she joined the office staff of Dr. Scott in Toms
River, NJ.
Jeanette enjoyed traveling the country with Ernie to visit the many states her daughter Joanne
and son-in-law T.R. lived in while T.R. was an officer in the United States Air Force. She also
carried on the Christmas Eve dinner tradition started by her mother and father, providing her
home as a place for the whole family to gather at the holidays.
After relocating to Virginia to be closer to her grandchildren, Jeanette was a longtime
resident of Potomac Woods apartments. Rachel and Trent spent many memorable nights
having movie and snack-filled sleepovers with her, and she was always the first to celebrate
their accomplishments in both school and their hobbies. She was involved in many activities,
including bible study, game nights, and the Red Hats. Jeanette also enjoyed participating in her
building's chair exercise group, and volunteered at the Woodbridge Senior Center and Sentara
Northern Virginia Medical Center. She loved animals and could always be counted on to play a
mean game of UNO.
Jeanette is preceded in death by her former husband, Ernie. Jeanette is survived
by her daughter Joanne (T.R.) Morgan of Woodbridge, VA, her sister Phyllis Hay of New
Jersey, her granddaughter Rachel Morgan and grandson Trent Morgan, both of
Woodbridge, VA, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Virginia, and Australia.
A memorial service will take place on October 3rd, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Mountcastle Turch Funeral home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Jeanette's
family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the ICU
staff at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and to Vitas Hospice
Healthcare.