Virginia Tessman Carmichael

In journalism, the traditional signal for the end of a story is a “-30-“after the concluding paragraph. That final ending in the life of longtime local journalism teacher Virginia “Tess” Carmichael came on November 6 at the age of 93.

Born in Montrose on March 15, 1930, to Herman Martin Tessman and Gladys Eaton Tessman, Tess graduated from Montrose High School in 1948 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Western State College in Gunnison and, 27-years after establishing her career, a master’s from the University Colorado in Boulder. A life-long educator and learner, she first taught in Canon City CO, Waynesville, MO and Norwood CO before beginning 15-years in District 51 at Grand Junction Junior High, Fruita High School and Grand Junction High School. During this period, Tess also wrote obituaries for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and was marketing director for Powderhorn ski area.

From 1973 until her retirement in 2003 after 51 years as an educator, Tess taught Journalism, Ethics, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communications, English and Writing at what later became Colorado Mesa University. First at Mesa Jr. College and then at Mesa State College, she was a staff advisor for The Criterion and the Yearbook. She was beloved by her students and colleagues at every step of her long career as an educator.

In 1953, Tess married another longtime local teacher, Perry Carmichael, and they enjoyed 41-years together until Perry’s death in 1994. They welcomed three children who survive, Joel (Judi Servoss), Kyle, and Amy (Scott Aker) and one of Tess’ favorite activities was spending time with their four grandchildren, Courtney Anderson (Beck), Emily Smith (Erik), Maria Nappi and Gillian Aker and four great grandchildren, McKinley and Maeve Anderson and Gavin and Lawson Smith.

Community involvement included the Alpha Mu Sorority, Reviewers Book Club and acting as an advisor and contributor to the Journal of the Western Slope. Tess was also a member of the Grand Junction Legends Committee from the time that group was started to memorialize author/screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and while it went on to honor other important Grand Junction historical figures. She also was actively involved in the college theater program with Perry.

Other favorite activities included reading, skiing, the theater, long drives, hiking, dinner parties, smiling and being in the sun.

A celebration of life service will be held in Spring 2024. Memorial contributions may be made to School District 51 Foundation, in memory of Tess Carmichael or to the Colorado Mesa University Foundation CMU Foundation, Attn: Tess Carmichael Memorial Fund, 1450 N. 12th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

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Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Carmichael family.