Constance M. (Jankola) Tesar "Connie"

After 90 years, Constance Marie Tesar (nee Jankola) passed from this life on March 25, 2024, at Brookdale Senior Living in Westlake, Ohio.

Connie was born September 9, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, the middle child of three girls.  She met her husband, James John Tesar, through the church youth group, and they were married on May 14, 1955.  They sustained their marriage for over 49 years, until Jim passed in 2005.  Together they raised 6 kids who all launched successfully.

Known as an excellent cook, Connie raised her family on beef stroganoff, veal paprikash, grape kuchen, buchta, and other traditional foods.  She was a talented seamstress and gardener.

Connie was an active parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Parma and St. Peter Church in North Ridgeville.  She volunteered at and was a co-director of St. Charles’ PSR religious education program for the developmentally disabled for over 30 years.  She had a deep faith and love for the Lord, and found great comfort in prayer.

Connie is finally reunited with her husband, Jim; brother- and sister-in-law, Edward and Maureen Tesar; her parents, Marian and Coleman Jankola; and various members of the Tesar, Jankola, Ridel and Hadacek families.

Her loss is deeply felt by her children: Michelle Barrentine (Robert, deceased), Kathleen, Judy, John (Jamie), Carol Gorski (Richard “Skip”), and Mary Carroccio (James).  She also leaves behind her sisters, Jo-Ann Jankola and Helen Monachino, with whom she was very close; nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The family wishes to acknowledge the friends and community Connie found at Emerald Village Senior Living in North Olmsted.  Thanks also to the nurses, aides, staff, and doctors at Brookdale Senior Living in Westlake, as well as University Hospitals St. John Medical Center, for their excellent care and concern in Connie’s last illness. 

Family will receive friends at the Mallchok Funeral Home, 5660 Ridge Road, Parma, OH on Monday, April 1, 2024 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Prayer Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Connie Tesar will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 5891 Ridge Road, Parma, OH at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connie’s name to St. Charles Borromeo Church.

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