Tess Holland

Born January 2nd, 1927, died November 4th, 2017

The oldest of 11 children of Alban and Katherine Giesing, Tess grew up in the San Diego State College area when it was hills and canyons covered with chaparral. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary school and Cathedral High School. Tess married William A. (Bill)  Holland in 1943 and bought their lifetime home in Allied Gardens overlooking the farms and dairies of Mission Valley. While their view of the valley changed over the years, they always enjoyed the beautiful sunsets. Soon their home was filled with their six children. Tess was very proud of them.

Tess truly enjoyed organizing the folk masses at St. Therese church. On weekly garage sale trips, Tess and Bill purchased and donated thousands of toys and items of clothing to orphanages in Tijuana, and “Say San Diego”, serving San Diego families in need. Tess enjoyed collecting cobalt glass, blue willow china, and teddy bears, but most of all, she enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Tess was preceded in death by her husband Bill. She is survived by siblings, Msgr. Anthony Giesing, Don Giesing, Tom Giesing, Phillip Giesing, Dan Giesing, Bernie Giesing and Anita Leisen. She will be dearly missed by her entire family, her children and their spouses Marie and John Schwab, Bill and Chris Holland, Annette and John Greenwood, Antonia and Bob Davis, John and Nora Holland, and Don and Shanna Holland. Tess enjoyed being with her grandchildren, Seth Zuloaga, Stephen Schwab, Damian Zuloaga, Michelle Schwab, Eva Holland, Nichole Schwab, Sarah Davis, Rachael Holland, Taylor Davis, Emily Holland, Tim Holland, and her great-grandchildren, Ari Panthaky, Liam Panthaky, Lucia Davis-Rodriquez, Tidyn Zuloaga, Cali Davis, Zayden Zuloaga, and Julian Holland-Peterman. 

 A celebratory mass will be held Wednesday, November 15th 1:00 PM at the Mission San Diego de Alcalá. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Carmelite Monastery of San Diego, http://www.carmelsandiego.com. 

Arrangements under the direction of Goodbody Mortuary, San Diego, CA.