Obituary of Lois Julia Tessari

March 14, 1932 – Bengough, Saskatchewan

January 5, 2025 – Calgary, Alberta

Lois Tessari (nee Prowse) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the age of 92 years.

Lois was born in Bengough, SK, on March 14, 1932, to parents Reginal Prowse of PEI and Juliana Prowse (nee Hoggan), of Hungary.

Lois graduated from the Regina Grey Nuns School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1953. Over her nursing career, she held a variety of positions in Saskatchewan, Oklahoma, and Calgary. One of Lois’ most treasured nursing memories was the day she performed a solo delivery of a baby girl in the same hospital where she had been born, twenty-two years earlier. The baby girl she delivered that day was named Lois.

She was an active volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada. Lois accomplished much throughout her life. She was particularly proud of her three children, as well as the many, many Bible studies she led, and her missions to Mongolia to help others there find their own relationships with Jesus.

Lois loved to have a good time. She looked for any opportunity to dance, get family music jams going, golf, curl, ski, sail, play tennis, and travel with her friends and family. Her most memorable vacation was when she and her siblings took on the epic adventure of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

She had a fabulous sense of humour and will be remembered for her quick wit and fast puns.

Lois is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marla and Duncan Johnson; two sons, Robert Tessari and Mark Tessari, and one daughter-in-law, Mark’s wife Launa; seven grandchildren, Charlie, Logan, Amy, John, Matthew of White Rock, BC, Sierra, and Chase; and three great-grandchildren, Daxton of White Rock, BC, Emilia, and Noah. Lois is also survived by her brother-in-law George McFarlane of Orillia, ON, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Lemuel, Logan (Irene), and Tommy (Doreen); and two sisters and one brother-in-law, Ilona (Herb) and Terry.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3) on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre of the Funeral Home. 

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in Lois’ honour can be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, 20 Hopewell Way N.E., Calgary, AB T3J 5H5, Telephone: 1 (800) 293-3717, www.billygraham.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Lois’ family here.

In living memory of Lois Tessari, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.