Teresa "Zina" Tesan

Memorial donations to the Leonardo Gambin Nursing Home in Zina's memory would be greatly appreciated.
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Zina (Teresa) Tesan (nee Luchini) peacefully with her family by her side on the morning of Monday, August 7, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband, Tino (Sante) and brother Ermes Luchini. She leaves behind her daughter, Alida & husband Michael, son Nello, granddaughters Nicole, Stefani & husband Shayne as well as many family and friends.

Zina was born in San Georgio della Richinvelda, Friuli, Italy on September 23, 1928. She left Italy to join her future husband and like many immigrants arrived in Canada by ship landing at Halifax Pier 21 in March of 1953. There, not speaking a word of English, she travelled by train across Canada to Trail BC. A month later, on April 11, 1953, she married Tino and settled into life in Trail quickly becoming a part of the large expatriate community, enjoying the many social events and work as a seamstress in a men’s Tailor’s shop. When a year later the construction work became scarce for Tino, they moved east to Toronto and worked hard to establish themselves and raise a family.

Zina was a skilled seamstress who worked in the garment industry and ladies retail sales into her early 70s. She passed her sewing and knitting skills onto her granddaughters and became a partner in her granddaughter Nicole’s online shop spending countless hours together designing and making yoga bags and purses. In addition, Zina was a wonderful cook and baker and loved hosting an annual summer picnic for her extended family. There was always a huge pot of penne in her delicious sugo. She was passionate about gardening and flowers and had more energy that than people half her age.

In 2004 at the age of 76, she became a volunteer at Villa Leonardo Gambin a long-term care residence, a role that lasted 16 years. She was an invaluable asset to the staff and residents and could be found serving coffee, playing Scala 40 and helping anywhere there was a need.

Zina was a loving sister, wife, mother and the best grandparent to her granddaughters Stefani and Nicole who were the sunshine of her life.

We all have our favorite memories of Zina who always had time for any and everybody. To say she will be missed is the greatest understatement.