Mary Jane Tessier

Mary Jane (Galligan) Tessier, age 97 and wife of the late Paul C. Tessier, passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the Fall River Jewish Home. She was born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Edward and the late Jane (McAvoy) Galligan.

Mrs. Tessier graduated from New Bedford High School, Seton Hill University and the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Dietetics. She served as a dietitian at the former Union Hospital in New Bedford, the Pawtucket Memorial Hospital and the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. She was also a teacher at the former St. Mary’s Cathedral School in Fall River and the Chace Street School in Somerset.

She was a member of the American Dietetic and the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Dietetic Associations, as well as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Mrs. Tessier was a lifelong resident of Massachusetts residing in New Bedford, Reading, Somerset, North Attleboro, Attleboro and Fall River at different points in her life. She was active in St. Mark’s Parish in Attleboro Falls for 30 years, serving as a Eucharistic minister and as a member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Mrs. Tessier had a life-long interest in animals, nature, and family history. In the last decade of her life, she wrote regular newsletters to family members which reflected those interests with humor.

She is survived by her daughter Ann Feilhauer of Somerset; her sons, John Tessier of Bradenton, FL, Edward Tessier of Keene, NH; her sister, Ellen Tracy of Pompano Beach, FL; her grandchildren, Paul Feilhauer of Swansea and Amy Cichon of Somerset; great granddaughter, Alisa Feilhauer; her niece Amy Jacobson, and nephew Todd Tracy. She is also survived by other loving family members and dear friends who were important to her over the years. She was the mother of the late Mark Tessier.

Due to current restrictions, her funeral service and burial will be private. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of the Fall River Jewish Home for the excellent care and companionship they provided to both Mary J. and Paul C. Tessier. Contributions in their honor may be made to the Fall River Jewish Home, 538 Robeson Street, Fall River, MA 02720 or via https://www.fallriverjewishhome.org/charitable-giving