Mary Stuart Tedesco

Mary Stuart Tedesco, 76, of Old Saybrook passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024. Born on November 9, 1947 in Winston Salem, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Spencer B. Hanes and Sarah Lyell (Glen) Hanes. Stuart grew up in Winston Salem and graduated from Hannah Moore Academy in 1964. She went on to attend Stephens College and earned her Associates Degree in Fine Arts in 1967. For the first part of her life she was a homemaker for her three sons, Nick , Lee, and Nat. After they had grown up and left the home, she began working as a kitchen manager at the Estuary Council of Seniors and Essex Meadows.

Stuart enjoyed the comforts of home. She was a compassionate animal lover who opened her heart to cats, dogs and even a Mallard duck who she nursed back to health in the family bathroom. She created an impressive outdoor space with numerous feeders for birds. Stuart had a talent for growing and arranging flowers and plants that added to the beauty of her backyard landscape. Her true talent was in the kitchen creating meals for her loved ones. Her joy of cooking came from seeing others enjoy the food she prepared. Cooking was just one of the many ways Stuart cared for and nurtured those around her.

Above all else, Stuart found her joy in spending time with those she held closest in her heart, her friends and family.

As well as her parents, Stuart is predeceased by her brother Glenn Hanes and her sister Margaret Hanes.

Stuart will be greatly missed by her sons and their spouses, Nick and Jodi Tedesco of Chester, CT, Lee and Susan Russell of Wakefield, RI, and Nat and Jen Russell of Atlanta, GA. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren Brody Russell, Lilly Russell, Aster Rusell, and Robbie Russell. She is also survived by her sister Lyell Abbott.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s name to Valley Shore Animal Rescue. https://www.valleyshoreanimalwelfareleague.org/.