Obituaries

Marie Theresa Alma Tegio (born Voisine), 82 years old, died at her Fremont, California home on Sunday April 26, 2020 in the presence of loved ones after a long battle with dementia and the aftereffects of strokes. Marie is survived by her husband, Rodolfo; children, Elizabeth, Rose, Mark and John; and brothers Peter and Norman. She is preceded in death by her daughter Joanne and parents Joseph and Blanche. Marie was born on October 31, 1937 in Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick, Canada, and moved across the Saint John River to Keegan, Maine at the age of seven. Raised in this French-speaking lumber and potato farming town, the hardscrabble community cultivated enduring traits that would serve her and her own family throughout life. After graduation from Sacred Heart High School in Van Buren, she joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. While stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, she met and married Rodolfo in 1959 and gave birth to Elizabeth in 1960. The budding family then moved to San Francisco, welcoming three more children to raise and nurture. In 1970 they moved to their final home in Fremont, California, where Marie became active in the community, serving as a scorekeeper and team mother with Centerville National Little League and in several capacities for the Fremont Art Association, including their Treasurer for a time. Marie was an accomplished artist and often showed her paintings in local galleries, businesses and shows. She volunteered at the Association’s Niles gallery and the annual Fremont Art and Wine Festival. She often taught art classes for young students as a visiting artist in elementary schools. For many years her childhood passion for ice skating continued and later she learned to enjoy roller skating. She loved gardening, travel, reading and cooking and 7pm was always reserved for Jeopardy! She often took up activities to enjoy with her husband and children, like camping, fishing and tennis. She was an avid bowler and alongside Rodolfo, belonged to several leagues throughout the years. She was present for Sunday mass at Holy Spirit Church until her health only allowed attendance by televised services. Her children remember her as a devoted wife to their father, a brave and adventurous woman, and a caring and loving mother. She taught them the love of the Lord, the power of faith and prayer, the value of hard work and dedication to pursue their goals, the blessings of preparing and sharing meals together and the joy of a good belly laugh. She made their home a loving family base that is now enjoyed by two more generations of seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. A private viewing is scheduled for Friday, May 1 at Fremont Chapel of the Roses. Due to current restrictions on gatherings, a celebration of Marie’s life and memorial reception will be scheduled at a later date when all will be welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Washington Hospital and the Fremont Healthcare Center for their efforts, care and dedication.