Mary A. “Auntie” Tessman, nee Senkerik, 1917-2007, beloved aunt, VERY special friend to many and resident of Villa Park for nine years and Berwyn for over 50 years, passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2007, in Elmhusrt Hospital. Aunt Mary is survived by her nephew and nieces Patty Eltoft (Kevin), Rick Lidinsky, Kathy Painter, Bill (Lynn) Cermak, and Mike Cermak along with grand nieces and nephews Charlotte and Victoria Eltoft; Jason and Katie Painter; Bill and Cindy Cermak; Missy and Mike Cermak; and great-great-nieces and nephew Justin and Haley Cermak; and Amanda. She is preceded in death by her husband Walter E. Tessman, mother, father, and three sisters. Mary worked for Western Electric and was a member of the Pioneers for over 35 years. She retired in 1973 and enjoyed 35 years of seeing nature at its finest. Widowed without children for 24 years, Mary traveled some interesting parts of the world up till she was 80. At 80, she moved from Berwyn to Villa Park to be closer to family. During that time she became an Aunt, Best Friend, Mother, Sister, Grandmother and anyone you needed her to be at the time to many friends and especially family. She saw life as an opportunity to be happy. She had great compassion for anyone who appreciated the person that she was. When finally slowing down a little at 88, she loved just to ride in the car, run errands, and stop at her favorite fast food restaurant without even getting out of the car. During her youth and into her senior years, she enjoyed the frequent trips to Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin at Thanksgiving time to enjoy the congregation of geese stopping by before moving across the country. She was adventurous and courageous. In her 70’s she went white water rafting on the Colorado River. She and Uncle Wally went fishing to Phillips, Wisconsin twice a year for 2 weeks at a time and she didn’t even like to fish. That is how giving she was. Sleep tight Aunt Mary, we love you. Visitation Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, (between Rt 83 and Summit Ave) Oakbrook Terrace. Funeral Service Saturday 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Mt. Auburn Cemetery, in Stickney. For info. 630-941-5860.
