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Tessie Schembri Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Tessie Schembri
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Mary Schembri
June 9, 2024
Tessie,
You were more than a mother to me. You were an inspiration and role model of what every mom should aspire to be.
No one has your energy, your positive attitude, or the "zest" for life you showed every day.
We all miss you and talk about all the love and light that has gone out of our lives now that you are no longer with us.
I will never ever forget how you and Joe gave up everything going on in your lives to come and stay in El Macero and take care of Laura for two and a half months! No one else was either willing or able to even consider doing such a thing.
I was in the hospital in preterm labor with Katie and Laura was only two years old.
You and Joe cooked for her and Frank, drove the little munchkin to preschool, gym classes, dance classes, and anything else she needed.
You did grocery shopping, laundry, cleaned house, and did whatever a mother does to help us through that hard time. I will never never forget that generosity.
You did all those things without even thinking it was a big deal. You took on every hardship like that- no matter how difficult things were throughout your life, it was just another obstacle to overcome- no big deal.
I don´t know another person who has the positive and uplifting spirit you had and I´m sure I never will.
Laura feels such a hole in her life with you not here. I know you´re in heaven, and I pray that you watch out for her and Katie all the time. I know you are.
Katie does the best voice imitations of you. It really brings you into whatever we´re doing and makes us feel like you are right there with us. She´s hilarious and gives us that spark of joy that you gave us with your one liners or quick opinion about things. You said it like it was and you were fearless doing it- and why wouldn´t you be? You were right!
Keep watching over your family. We all need it. Nothing is the same with you missing.
I know heaven is lucky to have you as an angel and so many of our family who passed are happy you are with them now.
Don´t doubt for a second that your love isn´t living on everyday as we remember you.
I love you.
Mary ( your sixth daughter) Schembri
May 15, 2024
Frank Schembri
May 16, 2022
Mom, you are surely missed. We all speak about you daily, eleven years after your leaving this earth! You are the goal setter that we all think of when we strive to be a better person. Thank you for your example of working hard and never complaining; seizing each morning with such determination and ending the day with a good sleep. You never let anyone bring you down and your desire to make the day full of life helped you to focus on healthy things. I miss you and am so thankful for the gifts you have given me personally. You were a powerhouse! I'm so lucky to have had you as a mom. I know you pray diligently for me and the family.
Love always,
Frank
Elizabeth Perez
May 15, 2022
To My Dearest Mom,
Eleven years have gone by since your passing and I miss you so very much. I have so many good memories of you and the special bond we had. So many places and things remind me of you. You are missed by so many and family and friends always have good things to say about you because you were that special Aunty and friend. I hope you are enjoying all your family that have entered Gods heavenly kingdom. I love you mom and you will forever be in my heart. Dominic misses you too and speaks of you often. He says he´s lucky he had the opportunity to live with you for a couple of years and got to see you and your daily routine´s. Love you mom. Until we meet again!
Frank
March 25, 2021
Mom, today would have been your 92nd birthday. But you are ageless now and forever young.
For that I am grateful to God. Someday we will all be together again, but for now we can only cherish our memories of you, and they are limitless. Hope you, dad and Saviour are enjoying the new members of the family that finished their journey here on earth, namely, your sisters Netta and Nezza, and your brother Tony.
Love always, your son Frank
Frank Schembri
May 31, 2019
Hi Mom. Just thinking about you... just wifi'ing up to heaven to say that I think about you often and thank you always for all that you did for me and instill in me. Love you. Your son, Frank
Katie Schembri
October 12, 2016
Nanna, I'm craving a blanket. I crave the warmth and softness you left behind. It's like a little hug from you every time I curl up. I miss showing off your spunk to my friends. You are not someone to be talked about in the past tense. Nanna, my goal in life is to die being remembered and you are a legend. Every single person misses you and truly saw you as not only a role model but as a friend. No easy feat Tessie. Love you. Miss you. Praying for you.
Katie
February 4, 2015
Mom, we went to the cemetery just the other day to celebrate Dad's birthday. It was nice to be there knowing that you and Dad were with us. We were not sad. We were at peace, as you, Dad, and Saviour are. We brought up some memories of Dad and we all enjoyed the stories. How wonderful it was to know that you and Dad lived your whole lives together since a very early age in Malta, and how you were so in love with him all your life, as he was with you. Dad was a very lucky guy to have lived his life with you, because you filled it with such wonderful moments and gifts, like your children. You kept him busy his entire life and I don't think anyone would have given him a better life than you did. I am sure he missed you so much before you came back to him. Mom, we all miss you. What a dynamic person you were in our life. We have lost alot of our energy when you left us but we still carry on. You were always there to keep us on track and to be a wonderful role model for us to keep alive and to keep busy. You always were running about and doing things around the house and we so admired your for your zest and for your positive attitude. Well please tell Dad happy birthday for us and tell Saviour we miss him too. All of you are so dear to our hearts. You mad that happen. You kept us all together and we still are today. God bless you. Love Always, Frank
Dorothy Hoggatt
October 31, 2013
Dear Momma, I miss you so much. I use to call you everyday just to talk or say hello. You were always so special in my life. We did so much together. Today is Halloween and I am sure if you were still here you would be busy making multiple costumes for your kids, grandkids and even the great grandkids. You always did such perfectionist work in your sewing. Life just isn't the same without the ones you love. I miss dad and Saviour so very much too. Your children try to keep getting together as often as we use to when you were around. This weekend I am going over Carmen's house to help her sew beds for her grandchildren's dolls. Boy do I miss you. I wish you were going over Carmen's house too so I can meet you there. Please give dad and Saviour a hug and kiss from me and let them know I miss them so much. Whenever I see 743 on the clock (time) like our old address or even 143, 243, 343, 443, 543 and so on I think you dad and Saviour and say a prayer.
Please watch over me, pray for me and ask God to keep me on the right path.
I love you all, Dorothy
December 26, 2011
Hi Mom. I so missed you this Christmas. It just wasn't the same without you here. Wow, what an understatment! Nothing is the same without you! We all think about you and how beautiful, strong, and alive you were. We had no burbon balls this Christmas; no filled dates, no christini, no envelope with the generous checks that you gave everyone each Christmas. Roxanne did make pastities and yeah, they need a little work, but she'll get it down someday. Even Liz made those bagels (cack) that we love to dip in tea or coffee. Again, they need a little work. But I give them all credit, don't you mom? We all want you back, so every attempt to get something back of you is praiseworthy.
I am finally retiring from work mom. I know, you are saying that I should have done it sooner. Well, I wish I had too, because I would have been able to spend more time with you. It just had to go this way.
Say hi to Dad for me okay. Dad, I love you so much too! We pray for all of you every day. I know you all do the same for us.
Merry Christmas!
Your loving son, Frank
Roxanne Scott
September 7, 2011
What an interesting day...appointment after appointment, rushing here and there, and yet realizing that this is the anniversary of Nannu's passing. I think it was always easier to deal with this day because I knew Nannu's love lived on in Nanna and was so tangible in her home, her smile, her love... But alas, this year is different. It's so hard for me to know that my children will not get to know these two people I hold dearest in my heart. This October will be my first trip home where I won't get to go visit Nanna at Sweeny street and it just doesn't feel right. I pray that Nanna and Nannu, with Saviour, are enjoying the blessings of heaven together and that they know how much we all love them - now and forever.
Missing you everyday Nanna and Nannu...
Love your granddaughter,
Roxanne
I Love You Nanna!
Katie Schembri
August 2, 2011
We love you so very much and miss you with all our hearts.
Katie Schembri
August 1, 2011
Katie Schembri
August 1, 2011
Everytime someone brings up Nanna or I see a picture of Nanna, it still doesn't occur to me that she is gone. Nanna, I am so proud to be your grandchild and am thankful that I have had the opportunity to know you and learn from you. Even though all I can knit are knots :) I really tried to get it right though. I love you so much and we all miss you.
Love,
Katie
Nanna & Nannu. We all miss you so much!
July 31, 2011
Nanna & Michelle. I miss you soo much & love you with all my heart.
July 31, 2011
Nanna & Mary
July 31, 2011
July 31, 2011
Nanna & Dan
July 31, 2011
Michelle Schembri
July 31, 2011
"And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven, Like so many friends we've lost along the way. And I know eventually we'll be together, One sweet day. Sorry, I never told you, All I wanted to say"
I can't believe it'll be 3 months in a few days. I feel your presence all around me and in my dreams. Mom and I are doing good, so is Zoe. We all miss you everyday. It's still so hard to think that you're gone, because it feels like you're visiting in Malta. I'm sorry I didn't visit you more often, I know you were always at our house, but it has been a heavy feeling, knowing that I waited until it was too late to visit you. I'd give anything to hear your voice one more time, I've wanted to call your house so many times but I know that you won't pick up. I want to feel your hugs, and give you the biggest kiss. I know you came to me in my dream, and told me that you'll always be with me and love me forever, but it's still hard to let go. Thank you for all your stories, love, cookies, and the endless things you have taught me. I am forever blessed for having you as my Grandmother. Until we meet again, you are always on my mind, in my heart, and a part of my soul. I love you Nanna, more than any words could describe. Love Always & Forever, Your Granddaughter, Michelle
Michelle Schembri
July 31, 2011
The speech I shared at Nanna's rosary: "There are thousands of words that can be used to describe someone's emotions. But sometimes, it's the simple ones that can mean the most. Thank You. Two words, that show how appreciative I am for all you've done for me. You've given me hugs when I needed them the most, cared for me when I was hurt, and baked more tasteful treats than my eyes could have ever imagined. But most importantly, you showed me what it means to be a good hearted person. To be thankful for the things I am blessed with, and pay it forward to those less fortunate. You are one of the most selfless, giving, strong, loving, and simply AMAZING women I have ever known, and I thank God for blessing me with the honor of being your Granddaughter. I Miss You. Three words that will never fill the void in my heart, but that will give me comfort knowing that you'll always be with me. They say it's better to have loved, and lost that love, than to have never loved at all. Although it pains me to lose you, I am happy to have had the 23 years of being loved by you, and I know there will always be the memories that no one can ever take away from me. They will bring me joy in the future, and for that I will stay strong and let you rest in heavenly peace, where you will reunite with the family we have loved, and also lost. I Love You, Nanna. Four beautiful words that mean more to me than all the gold and diamonds in the world. These words are so simple, yet are near and dear to my heart. You will always be a part of who I am, and I can only hope to someday be as amazing of a person, wife, mother, friend, and role model, as you have been to all the people who have known you. Until the day comes, when we shall meet again, you will always be on my mind, in my heart, and living through me." Love Always and Forever, Your Granddaughter, Michelle
Roxanne Scott
July 19, 2011
Nanna's been on my mind all morning and it feels like I'm still shocked to know she's gone. I can't be upset about what I no longer have, but just be happy with what I've been given...Today's just one of those days where it doesn't make sense. I love you Nanna, I miss you so much.
Elizabeth Perez
June 6, 2011
Speech I made at mom's rosary:
My mom was the most loving mother and friend. Growing up, I remember her always being so good to me and my sibblings. Our most popular mom, like dad, always made sure we had God in our lives and always taught us love and to forgive one another. Our family often said the rosary and prayers with her. Through mom's example, Dominic my son, willingly recited the entire rosary, which made all of us so proud, especially mom.
Mom welcomed and loved everyone in so many ways. The best compliment I received from her was a personal letter she once wrote me. She continually thanked me for helping her take care of dad, for driving her around, etc. Oh, but little did she know that all this was my pay-it-back contribution to her for all the small and larger sacrafices she did for me.
Mom, I know you're in a better place and you will forever be in my heart.
Inhebic Hefna (Which means I Love You Alot in Maltese)
Love Your Daughter, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Perez
June 6, 2011
Mom, we miss you so much! You are forever in our hearts. Love, Lizzy & Dominic
Elizabeth Perez
June 6, 2011
Frank Schembri
May 25, 2011
Eulogy for Tessie Schembri
Presented by her son Frank
Saint Elizabeth’s Church
May 16, 2011
`
This isn't the first time I lost my mother.
`
When I was in my early twenties, I had a 1973 two door Plymouth Duster. For some reason, the passenger side door would on a rare occasion fail to close. It was one of those things a young adult assures himself that he will fix soon enough.
`
One memorable day I was driving my mother home. I had my sister Carmen’s three little kids, John, Gina, and Gino, in the back seat. I remember Mom was reaching down into her purse to get her keys. The purse was on the floorboard, near her feet. She was doing this just as I was making a turn onto Sweeny Street from one of the side streets.
`
We were having a conversation and at that point I was doing the talking. I remember I found it odd that Mom stopped throwing in Maltese comments to what I was saying in English. Maltese women are not known to be quiet, reserved women, as my daughter Katie pointed out yesterday.
`
To my utter amazement my Mom was gone! The passenger seat was empty. The purse still lay on the floorboard, but there was no one sitting next to me. Mom had disappeared before my very eyes. Everything else in the car was just as it was before, with the exception that my mother was not in it.
`
Now you really can’t imagine just exactly what I was feeling at that very moment. Maybe the children at Fatima might appreciate what I was experiencing, but you had to be there to get the real gist of it.
`
I quickly turned my eyes back to driving and had no idea what was going on. The only thing I could think of doing was to ask the kids if they knew where their Nanna was. They said no. To this day those kids still keep the conversation short.
`
It was then that I looked into the rear view mirror.
`
There was mom trying to get up from the middle of the street just as three grown men were running to her aide.
`
Just like a perfectly executed Hollywood stunt, she synchronized a "tuck and roll" out the car door as it gently opened and silently closed. It was done with precision and as quietly as a black cougar moving in, ready to pounce.
`
I stopped the car still trying to make sense of the situation. I started in reverse toward her and noticed the looks on each man’s face. I got out of the car and immediately was interrogated as to why I pushed her out of the car. As I was trying to assure them that I absolutely did not push her out of the car, the others were helping her up off the floor.
`
I remember seeing little asphalt pebbles rolling off her ruined jumpsuit.
`
While I was denying the accusations being thrown at me, my frazzled mom kept repeating “I’m OK... I’m OK...I’ll be alright.” She sounded like I’d been abusing her for years.
`
In the end, they finally were convinced of my story and let mom come back in the car with me. It was an absolute nightmare. I don’t remember what my mom was saying when we drove off, but I am sure that she was blaming me the whole way back to her house.
`
It’s a one-of-a-kind true story, but I mention it for a purpose.
`
In essence, I am in a very unique position. You see, this is the "second" time I lost my mom!
`
I now reflect on that day, some 37 years ago. I recall the feelings I had experienced as I conversed with my mother, just to find that she was not there anymore.
`
That day has come back, only this time; it isn’t simply for a few moments.
`
The whole family will now be left with nothing more than memories of her and little precious circumstances that will tell us that she is still present and waiting patiently to unite again with all her family.
`
Kahlil Gibran once wrote: "The mother is everything - she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness. He who loses his mother loses a pure soul who blesses and guards him constantly."
`
This is the moment, my dear family, that we lose our mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. In some very real ways, we do lose our consolation, hope, and strength. It is a time when we lose a vital source of love, mercy, sympathy and forgiveness.
`
Mom, in a very real way, was a great part of our strength. Do any of you ever recall mom to unravel because of life’s daily pressures, or from the major pain she endured at times; those unexpected times when she faced hardship on the journey that has now ended for her?
`
When mom lost her mother and father, we saw no change in her drive as leader of her flock.
`
When dad died, she was shaken but again she showed the strength she always had and still managed to keep it together, home alone with all those oversized pots and pans she no longer needed as much anymore.
`
When my brother died, she suffered the greatest pain a person can. She suffered a mother’s loss of a most beautiful loving son. That day drove a sword through her heart.
`
But my mom reached down deep and found strength once again for her family. She carried herself like a marine dragging out the wounded from the battlefield One by one, she dragged us all back and away from the suffering we were enduring.
`
All her life, she showed us what it is to be strong, courageous, disciplined, caring, and what it is to be a leader.
`
Friends, as a mother of seven, my mom was always on top of things…
`
She rose early in the morning and never slept in. She started her day off to a running pace doing everything that needed doing. She never stayed up late so that she was “good for nothing” the next day.
`
As children, mom made sure that we were washed and off to bed before her. We ate good home cooked meals and wholesome lunches that she packed in brown paper bags for school; we always had clean clothes folded in our drawers. We had fresh sheets on our beds and never a dish in the sink.
`
We are so proud of our mother. Mom was proud of herself too; not in a bad way. She just knew that she was strong, productive, and happy… that kind of proud. She never spent a minute feeling sorry for herself. She did spend a lot of time, however, patting herself on the back.
`
You know, she never read a psychology book, but every psychologist tries to help their patients to be like my mother was.
`
We all know that she was very religious too. This is not uncommon for her generation, but very uncommon for this one. She said many a Rosary and never missed Sunday Mass. Ditto for you too Pop!
`
If you ever spent more than a few minutes with my mom, you were either eating something she made, playing cards, or saying the Rosary.
`
She was always busy on her feet unless you put her in front of a TV set where she would instantly fall asleep.
`
Hollywood had no hold on my mom!
`
Mom had many friends; most of them were from the old country, but everyone she met somehow became a friend. People had no trouble connecting with my mom.
`
They saw something in her that drew them to want to know her better. They knew she was a real person and that what they saw was what they got. They instantly knew that she was fun to be around and they saw that she could be trusted if they wanted to share something that they never shared with anyone before. They knew she wouldn’t pull any punches. They found her to be generous and welcoming. She was a magnet and drew in people her age and people much younger than her.
`
Many of the most endearing friends she had are much younger than she was. These younger friends weren’t our friends. They were her friends, real friends. We got to know them through her.
`
Mom had come from a wonderful family herself. She was close to all her brothers and sisters. She was lucky that two of her sisters lived close by, and all but one of her brothers lived within a few miles of her. Her brothers spent a good deal of time at our house and in our lives.
`
For the last 53 years, my Uncle Lele and Aunt Carrie shared the same street with our family, living right across from us. What a blessing that has been for our family. Mom has always been so grateful for that. She would depend on her brother for so many things and like a good brother, he always came through. And in those 53 years, my Aunt Carrie and mom helped each other with child rearing and had a few well deserved good cups of coffee when the kids weren’t around.
`
These last few weeks my uncles and aunts showed me what love they had for mom. I was so touched with their attempts to encourage her to stay positive about recovery. And once we all saw that there would be no miracle cure, they helped her to affirm what they had always believed about Christ; that He would make a place for her in Heaven.
`
So here we are today, saying goodbye to this precious person; your friend, your cousin, your grandmother, your sister, your aunt, our mother. My mother is eternally grateful that you came to pay her respects.
`
Everyone will feel a loss. But the loss gets greater the closer you were to this remarkable, yet simple woman.
`
I now speak to those that were the closest to her…
`
When someone this close dies, we lose a piece of who we are. We lose one of the storytellers that provided history of our own beginning. Little by little, we lose them one and all. This was a big one and we know it.
The loss will create a void now that will become more apparent in time.
`
The closer you were, the greater the pain. This is the ugly truth. Time has stolen her from us.
`
But time will also soften the pain. The pain will never quite go away, nor will the hunger for her. Time will give way to healing and life will go on; never quite the same way again, but on it will go, and we will thrive once more. Mom would want all of us to heal and thrive like she did.
`
To my sisters I say we are now the chief storytellers for our children.
We had the privilege of being with mom the most. Not the longest perhaps, but the most. We also had the gift of being the closest to her.
`
We will heal and fill the void by telling the stories mom and dad made real, to our children, and to our children's children.
`
The stories filled with memories of years back, when we picnicked at the beach at Coyote Point; swam at Mitchell Park; visited the zoo; and all the many ways our parents filled our weekends with exciting, fun things. Can you remember back to those days when we even went to Playland across from the Cliff House? Yes we are that old!
`
And when you tell those stories of mom, and dad; remember oven doors opening with wonderful smells of baked macaroni, stuffed eggplant, rabbit stew, crestini, almond cookies, pastities; a pot of fish soup simmering on the stove top.
`
Think back and recall for your family the memory of Santa and his reindeer on the balcony all lit up, and a silver Christmas tree that turned green, then blue, then red; while bulbs on the tree bubbled.
`
Recite the good old days of birthday parties in the garage and the goodies that were baked for them; those wonderful custard filled cakes topped with candied sprinkles.
`
Recall with a glint in your eyes, the drive up those rolling hills to Clearlake and the wonderful weekends we had with all of us together, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Remember fishing at night and celebrating Fourth of July on the beach there too.
`
Tell of the great costumes mom made for us, and our children, and of how we celebrated so many fun Halloween parties together as a family.
`
There are so many memories, enough to fill all of the voids that you will experience.
`
We were lucky that way. We were so wealthy that way. Mom and Dad left us a treasure of memories.
`
I know that I am luckier than most and I am grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful set of parents and sisters and brother.
`
I know that when I look back again in that rear view mirror, I will see much more of my mother and the memories she and my dad left behind than most will see in theirs.
`
That was her and my dad's gift to us.
`
That was the wealth they left us; precious memories of good, wholesome, Catholic life.
`
We thank you for everything mom.
`
We love you dearly and always will.
Doris Meadows
May 25, 2011
Dear Family, We are so sad for you all. Auntie Tessie will alway's hold a special place in my heart.The one blessing is she is now with your sweet father and brother. I know she was smiling over us all when we were together in San Fran.Take care and God Bless you all.
Love alway's, Doris
Elizabeth Vella
May 24, 2011
Dear Frank and family, we went to St. Paul of the Shipwreck School together many, many years ago. I just saw the posting of your mother's death. I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of your loss ~ Elizabeth Vella
Frank Schembri
May 22, 2011
Mom, I so miss you already. I love you dearly. Rest in peace knowing that your journey on this earth was filled with goodness and that you surely will enter the kingdom of God. With all my love,
Your son Frank
The Scullion Family
May 22, 2011
Mary and family, please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers! Always a difficult time when someone you love passes away! Peace to you all.
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