WAPPINGERS FALLS – Celeste Tesan entered peacefully into eternal rest on October 24, 2017, at Wingate at Dutchess in Fishkill. She was 96.

Celeste was born on August 22, 1921, in the village of Brugnola, in Bardi, province of Parma, Italy, to Giuseppe and Desolina (Mussi) Tibaldi. She emigrated to America in 1936 with her parents and two brothers, Primo and Dominic, to live in the Bronx, New York. There she met the love of her life, Victor Tesan. Victor and Celeste were married on November 25, 1943, in The Church of St. Lucy in the Bronx. They honeymooned on the train down to Louisiana, where Victor was to be shipped out to the European Theater during World War II.

After the war, Victor and Celeste settled in the Bronx, where they raised two children, Alfred and Lorraine. Celeste worked at Evander Childs High School until her retirement. Upon retirement, they moved to Wappingers Falls to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Celeste was a loving mother and grandmother. She was a fantastic cook and enjoyed hosting big Sunday meals with the whole family around the table. Her homemade ravioli were unbelievable and not easily duplicated. When her health necessitated her residing in a nursing home, she enjoyed the interaction with her friends and the staff as they passed her in her favorite spot in the lobby.

Celeste is predeceased by her husband, parents and brothers. She is survived by her son, Alfred Tesan and his wife, Debbie, her daughter, Lorraine Margiotta and her husband, Victor, her grandchildren: Victor Margiotta Jr. and his wife, Jaime, Gina Margiotta and her fiancée, Michael Collins, Anthony Tesan, and Christina VanDuzer and her husband, Todd, and her nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Wingate at Dutchess for the care, compassion and friendship shown to our mother.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4-8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday at 9:45 am at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 103 Jackson Street, Fishkill followed by burial at St. Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx.

Please visit Celeste’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.