Luella Marie Nixa Tesoriero

DURHAM: Luella Marie Nixa Tesoriero died peacefully at her home Thursday after 98 1/2 long and wonderful years of life. She was born in Paynesville, Minnesota to Katherine & George "AG" Nixa, the oldest of 12 children. Luella was raised in Rochester, Minn, and as a young girl loved the outdoors, including hiking and figure skating. After high school she fulfilled her dream to become a nurse by graduating from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester and completing her clinical training at the Mayo clinic under Doctors Charlie & William Mayo. She received an award for outstanding achievement in operating room technique from Dr. Charlie Mayo. Luella was selected to go to St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn, NY as a clinical instructor in surgical technique, where she met her handsome Italian-American husband, Dr. Vincent Tesoriero. She became instantly bonded to his large extended family, with her home becoming the epicenter for constant social activity. Though proud of her Germaneeritage, Luella claimed to be "Italian by osmosis." The couple raised their 5 children in Brooklyn, after which they retired to Boyntoneeach, FL, later moving to Durham to be closer to family. Luella was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, Durham, where she served on the parish council and was a charter member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Durham. Throughout her adult life, she voluneered in couneess church, civic and school endeavors. Luella was a woman of charm and humor, keen mind and talents, with a heroic will to live. Her 98 years were full, abundant and productive. She knew volumes of songs from the Swineera, and recalled poems, fairytales and lullabies, always at the ready to entertaineer younger siblings and later, future generations of family. She was a superb storyteller, keeping alive oral traditions not only of a happy childhood in Minnesota, but all the tales connected to her life's journey. Luella made many solo driving trips between Durham and Rochester, Minn., well into her 80's. And while she quit driving at 95, she neer gave up her enjoyment of champagne! Luella's Christian faith and fervent prayer life sustained her all of her days. A woman brimming with joy, she radiated God's love and grace through her wide, perpetual smile, twinklineeyes and kind acts to all those who crossed her path. Luella maintained a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the recitation of the Rosary. Among many highlights of which she was proud, were visits to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, the Holy Land, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Mexico City. Luella was greatly beloved by her large family and vast network of friends. Surviving are her four children, Dr. John Vincent Tesoriero Mary Lee of Naples, FL; Luanne Tesoriero of Mission Hills, CA, Dr. Albert George Tesoriero of Dallas, TX and Rosanne Tesoriero Novak Paul of Durham; her grandchildren, Mariel Kolker Glenn, Amanda Clarke, Marc Ubaldi, Gabriel Tesoriero, Susannah Tesoriero, Nicholas Tesoriero, Christine Pemble, Bryce Pemble Heather, Jeremy Tesoriero Nicole, Charity Menditto Robert, Emily Hennessy John, Rebecca Nutt Jason, Jessica Ferguson Logan, Joanna Tesoriero, Dominic Tesoriero, Aneew Novak Casey and Katherine DeLong Patrick; 19 great grandchildren; her brothers, George and Robert Nixa, and a sister, Judith Stellpflug. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Dr. Vincent Tesoriero; her son, Dr. Victor Michael Tesoriero; and 8 of her siblings, Marcella Keller, Myrtle Fleischer, Arthur Nixa, Jerome Nixa, Eugene Nixa, Norbert Nixa, William Nixa and Donald Nixa. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 1:30 PM Tuesday from St. Matthew Catholic Church, with Fr. Thomas Tully presiding. Interment will follow in St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit 6-8 PM Monday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Gifts in Luella's memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services crs.org or to Catholic Charities memo Piedmont Deanery, 902 Broad St. Durham 27705. On-line memorials: hallwynne.com. Select Obits.