Teresita "Tessie" Nielsen's Obituary
Teresita "Tessie" Nielsen died peacefully on Friday, March 20th. Tessie was born in Cuba and came to New Orleans at age nine. As a young woman, she earned a degree in journalism and later, a master's in Romance Languages (French literature and history). She was an award-winning French teacher at Mercy Academy and Cabrini High School and took pride in enriching her students' experience with field trips, songs and puppet shows. She adored classical music and was a longstanding member of the St. Louis Cathedral Concert Choir. She played the piano beautifully and spent many happy hours enjoying symphony and opera performances. She truly delighted in simple pleasures, including snowballs, the LSU Tigers, Coke, all babies, people-watching, her dog Lexi, the Red Sox, good comedy, Cuban food, Christmas, the beach, tiramisu, Marty's back porch in Vermont, and discussing the virtues of her family. Tessie was a devout Catholic and belonged to a close-knit prayer group. She believed fervently in the Christian principles of love thy neighbor and care for the poor. Above all, Tessie enjoyed engaging with people from every background, laughing, telling stories and having meaningful conversations.
Tessie was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Jorge Lopez and Adelina Fernandez de Lopez of Havana, Cuba, her five siblings, Dr. Joseph Lopez, Sergio Lopez, Jorge "Tony" Lopez, Josefina "Ninin" Bloom and Lillian Lopez Castle, and her loving husband of 61 years, Joseph M. Nielsen.
She is survived by four children, Lillian Nielsen Stiegler (Bernard), Stephen Nielsen, Paul Nielsen, and Kristen Nielsen Thames (Ray); seven grandchildren, Ben, Joey (Lily Hughes) and Daniel Stiegler, Sarah Thames Sanders (Justin), Michael Thames (Zoe), Luke Thames, and Lily Jordan; five great-grandchildren, Abby, Emma and Christian Sanders, and Lola Ray and Lainey Thames, and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at 12 noon at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Metairie, LA. on Wednesday, April 1st. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities, Second Harvest, or a charity of your choice.
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