It is with much sadness but also gratitude for a life well lived. That we announce the recent death on April 25, 2023 in Victoria BC, of Palma Joyce “Joey” Tessaro,

Joey, as Palma was affectionately called, was born in Sumas, Washington USA. The family moved to the Abbotsford area where she had a happy childhood with her siblings, Gloria, Marie, Harold, Ted and Frances during this time. Life was tough, but this gave Joey her strong personality which stood her in good stead. In her later years she often mentioned that she was no cry-baby, and that you had to look after yourself.

Joey never married, but was a vibrant and much-loved member of the Tessaro family. Left to remember her are her nephews and nieces in the USA and her great nephews and great nieces in Canada along with her many friends.

Joey grew up loving animals and spent many hours with the animals on the farm and especially in the barn with the cats. She in some ways was a cat lady, having nine cats at one time.

Once Joey graduated from school, she got a job with Air Canada and this allowed her to travel extensively around the world with job locations occurring in Seattle, the Cayman Islands, and the Caribbean. Joey in her travels was able to meet the Pope in person and explore the private areas under the Vatican. It was with the knowledge gained from these overseas experiences that she was able to refine her career. She was fortunate to visit Russia via the Trans Siberian railway.

She had many great stories about helping the passengers. It was not unusual for large bouquets of flowers to arrive for her at work as a thank you for her help. Joey was also an enthusiastic member of the Victoria Marching Band, which gracefully took part in the annual Victoria May Day parades.

On retirement, Joey took up a volunteer position at the Fairfield community police station, where she became an extremely important part of the program, Seniors calling Seniors. She was able to detect that the person she was talking to was having a problematic time. She gave this information to her station officer for investigation and on four occasions this led to critical interventions. On leaving the Fairfield Community Police Station, she went downtown to the main Victoria Police Station and served there as a volunteer for many years.

Joey had two great loves. One was her cats and the other her garden. Her garden was featured in the Canadian Gardening magazine, and she received many compliments from people who passed by on May Street. Her cats all had names matching their personalities, and Joey loved everyone of them deeply. She always made sure that they lived as long as possible.

Joey was a delight to be around. She had a very strong character but was gifted with the intelligence to support it. She loved her family and friends unconditionally; she is dearly missed but very fondly remembered.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Patrick’s Church, 2060 Haultain Street, Victoria, BC, on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at 12:10pm, with Rev. Fr. William Hahn, Celebrant.

If friends so desire, please make a donation in Joey’s name to the Victoria Cat Rescue Corps Society, P.O. Box 5478 LCD 9, Victoria, BC V8R 6S4.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

  • Wendy Hlady

    I first met Joey when I was a wide eyed 19 year old in 1972. I was just starting my summer job in the Air Canada Ticket office in Victoria. Joey took me under her wing and “showed me the ropes.” That summer job created a life long friendship. I am grateful to have so many special memories of the times and stories we shared together over the years. Joey was a Force of Nature and an amazing Lady. God Bless.

  • Tina Szabo

    It was a honour to know Joey She was very wise and
    interesting. Lots of great stories I will really miss those
    great talks. While I was doing her hair May your spirit
    be always with me and those who knew you…
    Tina Szabo

  • Benjamin Tessaro

    Joey is my great aunt. We had amazing conversations over the phone. We liked to talk about science, family history, books, etc. She always talked about the radio show coast to coast. She seemed to have lived a wonderful life. May her spirit be free.

  • Angie & Lisa Wood

    Condolences to Joey’s family. She was my grandparent’s, (Zena and Herb Hartnell) neighbor on May St. since I was born in 1965. My sister and I have many fond memories of Joey being their excentric neighbor, full of fun and adventures. She was a free spirit and was loved by our whole family. May her spirit rest in peace.

  • Linda (Pettersen) Essery

    I hadn’t seen Joey in a number of years but kept track of her through a very close friend in Maple Ridge, Judy Wilson. As the daughter of Gladys and Jon Pettersen, growing up I remember the McKenzie family as well…everyone loved and envied Joey and her life full of adventures.

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