Marcella Fontenot Tezeno

Ary Marcella Tezeno went to spruce up the gardens of heaven October 19, 2024. God decided that he needed her expertise on how to best use a shovel. We can hope that in his all-knowingness, he realizes that he’s going to be hearing her thoughts on so much more.

She was born September 18, 1940 in Mallot, Louisiana, the daughter of Ora Agnes Latour and Marcena Fontenot. In 1965, she moved to California where she raised her four children Thelma, Kathy, Allen “Peanut”, and Phyllis.

Throughout her 84 years of life she stayed very busy. She maintained her own at-home daycare business before going on to become a school cafeteria worker, then a daycare center cook. It is known that she made sure to kick her dishes up a notch with Louisiana spices. She was a talented seamstress, her skill drawing in high-end clients including Mrs. Quiggly, the wife of a liquor store chain owner. Her painting abilities could be seen as professional level – a turkey decoration she painted still remains a proud centerpiece on her daughter Kathy’s table. In her older age, she took up swimming, a hobby which persisted until her final days.

Marcella was a devoted Catholic, always practicing her love of God. She was also quite a social butterfly and saw the importance of community. She attended support groups to tackle obstacles in life with like-minded people, picking up many friends along the way. Her home and garden was the setting for many social gatherings, large and small. She was a reliable source of generosity, acceptance, and advice.

She was famously stubborn, which also means she was famously devoted. She worked tirelessly for her children, and even brought herself out of her retirement from caretaking to help with her grandchildren: Britt, Michael, Lesley, Luke, Sarah, and Hannah. As you can see, she was put to work. Her grandchildren would never guess, always thinking a trip to Grandma’s house was the best sort of event.

Among her 11 siblings, Rose, Irene, Vernice, Andrus, Kirby, Welton, Delton, Linton, and Gloria preceded her in death. She is survived by her 2 remaining brothers, Adam and Louis.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of those who loved her. Marcella will be buried at Green Hills Memorial Park next to her son, Allen on Friday, December 6, 2024. Visitation at 10am. Rosary at 11:30am. Graveside Service at 12:30pm. You are also invited to a Celebration of Life Luncheon immediately following. Please RSVP for further details to Vicki Williams at 562-924-9349.