Roxanne M (Cote) Tessier

Lunenburg - Roxanne Marie (Cote) Tessier of Lunenburg, formerly Leominster, passed away on Saturday, April 19th with her family by her side at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after bravely facing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) for almost nine years. Roxanne had a positive outlook and generous spirit leaving brightness wherever she went. Her friendly demeanor and sense of humor was remarkable even through the difficult and uncertain final days of her life.

Roxanne was born on February 24, 1953 in Leominster, MA. She attended St. Cecilia’s Grammar School and graduated from St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School High School in 1971. Thereafter, she pursued and completed a certification program at the Electronic Computer Programming Institute in Worcester as one of the few women in this field at the time. Roxanne worked as a software engineer at several Boston-area companies over her forty-five year career. She retired from Broadvision in 2017.

She loved music, singing and acting which landed her lead roles in operettas in high school, as well as, membership in many choral groups, her last, singing with St. Cecilia’s Choir. Roxanne also performed at The Bull Run in Shirley as part of a dinner theatre attraction. She had a penchant for all things crafty and an artistic eye for decorating. Spending time with her beloved family and pets by the lake was one of her favorite pastimes.

She is survived by her husband Lawrence Tessier, her daughter, Marijah Comesana and husband Pablo, her daughter Jillian Pauling, her grandchildren Evan and Matteo Comesana and Henry Pauling, all of Lunenburg, her sister Doreen Marquis and husband Robert of Richmond, VT, her nieces and nephews Rebecca Marquis, Kyle Marquis and his wife Logan Pintka of S. Burlington, VT and Jeffrey Hakala of Brooklyn, CT. Roxanne was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Yvette Cote of Leominster and her son-in-law, Nicholas Pauling of Lunenburg.

Roxanne often expressed her deep appreciation for the comprehensive care she received through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for her—especially during her last weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Roxanne Tessier to support Dr. Matthew Davids’ CLL Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Dr. Matthew Davids’ CLL Research Fund, Boston, MA 02284.

All are welcome to attend Roxanne’s Celebration of Life on Friday, May 2nd at the Wright Roy Funeral Home, 109 West Street, Leominster, 978-534-9372. Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 pm through 6:00 pm. Her service will follow in the same location at 6:00 pm. The family appreciates participation in her service and encourages the sharing of a story or tribute in memory of Roxanne.

To leave a message of condolence visit; www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roxanne M (Cote) Tessier, please visit our floral store.