Patricia Ann Martinez Tessier

Patricia Ann Martinez TessierSurrounded by the love of family, Patricia Ann Martinez Tessier died on December 29, 2015, at the age of 83 in her family home after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born on April 4, 1932, and was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge.  After graduating from St. Joseph's Academy in 1949, she attended Louisiana State University and in 1952, graduated with a bachelor of arts in journalism. She began her career working as a reporter for Bogalusa Enterprise.  From February 1953 to July 1995, she was a reporter, writer and editor for the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, the State Times and The Advocate, retiring as editor of the People Section for The Advocate.  She was the recipient of numerous state and national awards during her 42-year newspaper career in Baton Rouge.  After retirement she continued to use her journalism skills as she volunteered in the Archives at St. Joseph's Academy and at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was an active member and lifelong parishioner.  Also at Sacred Heart, she served on the Liturgy Committee as well as other committees as she was needed.  At St. Joseph's Academy, she served as a class representative for the class of '49.  Until weeks before her death, she continued to manage a family business started by her father, F.L. Martinez, which includes a small shopping center in Mid City here in Baton Rouge.  She loved to exercise, and even after her terminal diagnosis, she took advantage of the classes offered by Cancer Services and took up Zumba.  In 2003, she was chosen as an Outstanding Alumnae by St. Joseph's Academy for her many years of service to the Sisters of St. Joseph and the community of Baton Rouge.  Her greatest talent was creating "family" in every endeavor she undertook.  She was blessed with a loving biological family, a family of friends since high school and college, and a family of coworkers from Capital City Press, whom she loved dearly.  She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jefferson T. Tessier, Sr., her children Shivaun Tessier Davis and husband Randy, Tara S. Tessier, Jefferson T. Tessier, Jr. and wife Susanne (Soonie), and Robert L. Tessier.  She was "Mama" to her beloved grandchildren Allison Davis, Joey Davis, Lauren Moore, and Henry Tessier.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Fabian L. Martinez and Lily Callaghan Martinez, her sister Faye M. Scully, her brother F. Larry Martinez, her daughter, Melanie Tessier Moore, and her precious granddaughter, Katie Moore.  Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home Downtown, 825 Government St., on Sunday, January 3, 2016 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Visitation will resume Monday, January 4, 2016 at Sacred Heart Church on Main Street from 9 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Randy and Joey Davis, Jeff and Henry Tessier, Robert Tessier, and Michael Moore.  The family wishes to thank the devoted nurses of The Hospice of Baton Rouge, especially Brandi Baker and Christel Sanchez, and dedicated caregivers Jackie Netter and Shandra Victorian.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph's Academy, Sacred Heart Church, or The Hospice of Baton Rouge.