Teresa Ann Lesesne

She was born October 16, 1952 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Floyd Stewart and late Mary Letwin.

Teri was a dedicated Christian, Wife, Sister, Grandmother and matriarch of her family. She was generous and loved to give of herself both personally and professionally. Her life’s work was to create readers, and there is no-one else who does that the way she could. Teri earned the position of Distinguished Professor at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) where she taught in the Department of Library Science for more than 30 years. To say she was well known in her field would be an understatement. As a result, Teri has been nominated for the distinction of Professor Emeritus at SHSU. Until her last breath, Teri was passionate about her work. She was recognized by her peers as the “Goddess of YA Literature” or “The Book Lady” and she adored that. Her other loves were: her adoring husband Henry, reading, her family (blood and chosen), talking to kids about books, her cat “Scout”, teaching people how to talk to kids about books, travelling (sometimes to talk about or learn about books, but also for family gatherings). And did I mention…books?

She is survived by her husband of nearly 49 years, Henry Lesesne; Henry’s son Hilton Lesesne and his wife Beata; her grandchildren Cali Cook and husband Brandon, Corrie Lesesne, Natalie Finley, Kazimierz Lesesne, Włodzimierz Lesesne, Michał Lesesne; great grandchildren Artemis Terese Cook, Daniel Cook, and Emilie Cook; sisters Jo Ann Keneaster and husband Jim, Mary Pat Stewart and significant other David, and Ruth Angel; her nieces Jennifer (Jenny) Bunyea and her husband Jeff, Joy Keneaster, her nephew Jeff Keneaster and his wife Carrie; her 2 grandnieces and 3 grandnephews. She also leaves many other family and friends who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her Mother Mary Letwin, her Dad Larry Letwin, her Father Floyd Stewart; her daughter Meredith Lesesne.

A memorial service will be held for Teri at a later date. We plan to celebrate her illustrious career at the SHSU Raven’s Call ceremony held in April 2022 at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville Texas.