Tesa Rae Duque-Lujano

Tesa Rae Duque-Lujano died peacefully in her sleep on May 21, 2025 in Harahan, Louisiana surrounded by the familiar comforts she loved. Born in New York City to Consuelo Lujano and Hugo Duque, she carried their resilience and warmth into every chapter of her life.

Tesa was labeled as "gifted" in school, but she viewed this designation not as a trophy but as an opportunity to explore life on her terms. She mastered the clarinet and saxophone, filling small apartments with her jazz. Later, she shifted her focus to sketchbooks, cookbooks, and martial arts. Curiosity became her guiding light.

Adulthood only widened her range. She could tune a carburetor before breakfast, ride a Harley by noon, and prepare a Mexican meal that filled the neighborhood with its delicious aroma by dinner. Everyone affectionately called her Chef Tesa in the kitchen, The Cuban Engineer under the hood, and The Lawyer when she advocated for others.

Her curiosity propelled her career forward. At Haywilk Galvanizing, she became the first woman in the plant to be certified as a Master Galvanizer. This achievement reflected her perspective on life, as she viewed societal norms as mere obstacles. Later, while working as an Inspector at the Chevron refinery, she joined the union and used her advocacy skills to push for safer shifts and fairer wages. She crafted grievances with meticulous attention, pouring her passion into representing those who needed a voice. Colleagues sought her guidance due to her quiet authority, and she reminded them that a voice is most powerful when it uplifts others.

Spending her later years in Belize on an island named Caye Caulker was her little slice of heaven. She was able to indulge in a life she had always dreamed of, fulfilling her long-standing love for the salty sea air. Her days were filled with fishing trips on her boat, tinkering with outboard motors, and cooking under the starlit sky in the evenings. Whether she was re-rigging a fishing reel or planning the next boat trip, she approached life as a puzzle best solved in good company.

Nothing could ever overshadow her devotion to her son, Hugo John Lujano. From the moment he was born, she declared, "It's the two of us against the world," and she truly meant it. Even when illness struck, her foremost concern remained his well-being and the community they served together. Watching Hugo accept his admission to Cornell University Law School ranked among her proudest moments; she considered all his milestones theirs, not just his.

Tesa had a generous heart that touched the lives of animals and people often overlooked by society. Many remember arriving at her door feeling uncertain, only to leave with a sense of steadiness, uplifted by her advice or a warm meal seasoned with cumin and lime. She defined success by what she contributed: sharing her skills, lifting others, and igniting courage.

Tesa is survived by her son, Hugo John Lujano; her sister, Maria Papadopoulos-Arnold; her nieces, Isabella Arnold and Ava Papadopoulos; her aunts, Sealdovia “Cide” Pipitone and Mary Leong; her Uncle, Raymond Leong; and Hugo's brother, Charles Franklin.

She was preceded in death by her brother, John James Lujano, and her parents, Consuelo Lujano and Hugo Duque.

A memorial service will be held on June 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, located at 411 W. Charles St., Hammond, Louisiana. Following the service, all are invited to join the family in the church fellowship hall for a light reception. This will be a time to laugh, cry, and remember the many ways she touched our lives. Snacks will be provided, and all are welcome. You are welcome to come in any attire that suits a day of fishing, casting a line, or having a casual chat; Tesa values authenticity over formality. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to bring or send a handwritten card with your favorite memory of Tesa, something we can treasure, reflect on, and someday pass down.

In her honor, consider taking a child fishing, repairing something that seems broken, playing a favorite song under the stars, or standing up for someone without a voice.

May her indomitable light keep circling the water, steady and clear, until we meet again.