Sandra L. Tessitore

SANDRA LEE TESSITORE
July 20, 1940—Feb. 10, 2019

Sandra Lee Tessitore, age 78, peaceably passed away into heaven Feb.10 at her home with family at her bedside  She was born July1940 in Linton, Indiana to David Edwards and Margie Wolfe Edwards.  She lost her father at a very early age. Her mother later married Harvey Taylor from San Antonio, Texas where Sandy spent her childhood and graduated from Alamo Heights High School.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Bob and three Children.  Son Terry lives in Missouri, Daughter Diane Tessitore and Son Brian live in Arroyo Grande, California.  She has a lovely granddaughter, Brittany Lee Tessitore who lives in Warren, Arkansas.  Her parents and sister, Charlotte Taylor Newton preceded her in death.

It was in San Antonio that she met her future husband Robert Tessitore who was stationed at Fort Sam Houston.  They were married June 1961 in San Antonio and soon left for their new home in Cedaredge, Colorado where Robert was a teacher.   Other homes along the way were in Gunnison, Alamosa, and Greeley, Colorado.  Lastly, in 1967, they moved to Arroyo Grande, California where they set down roots and raised their children.  Bob and Sandy would have celebrated 58 years of marriage this coming June 2019.

Sandy had many special interests and talents.  She was an artist who painted with oils, and had a great eye for line and color.  She taught tole painting and crafting to friends.  Sandy loved to cook and try various ethnic foods.  At one time she raised, bred and showed Shetland Sheep dogs and had her own kennel (Mirage Kennels).  For many years she sewed and quilted and belonged to the local quilting club.  She even wrote and published a booklet on how to raised rabbits, because her kids were in the 4H club.  In her spare time she studied and raised orchids.

She was a genealogist and researched her family lines for years.  She was inspired to do so because she found revolutionary and civil war soldiers in her family tree and men who served with the Lewis and Clark expedition, 1804-06, who went up the Missouri River and on to the Pacific Ocean.  Many trips were made in their motor home back to the midwest for pleasure and genealogy research.  She and Bob made two trips to Italy where they met Bob’s Italian cousins who immediately adopted her.  But, before these trips she took Italian classes at Hancock College so she would be better prepared to understand and talk with them.   

But above all, besides cooking, Sandy loved the antique business in which she was involved for 20 years until her recent health problems made it difficult to continue. She had a head for business and loved to talk to the customers.  Her husband Bob often said “That if Sandy couldn’t find any one to talk with, she would talk to a pole.”  She was a people person.  

Her last passion was cacti and succulents.  She designed a front yard landscape of succulents, cacti and other drought resistant plants that make for a  beautiful setting and resting place.  As usual, Bob dug all the holes, carried the boulders while Sandy supervised.  She loved her Rose garden and new greenhouse that she received from Bob for her last birthday. She loved her family and she will always be in their most cherished memories.

Sandra lived a full and event filled life.

NON MORTA SOLO RIPOSA—not dead, only resting.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to either DaVita Home Dialysis Care, 35 Casa Street, Suite 110, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 or to Dignity Health Hospice, 124 South College Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454.

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