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At the young age of 93, Theresa (Tess) R. Leo earned her heavenly wings on Monday, March 26, 2018.
Born in New Haven, Tess was the youngest of Bernard A. and Anna E. Andersen-Wirkus’ five children.
After graduation from Hillhouse High School, Tess worked as a secretary and a window display designer for retail stores.
She was married by her uncle, Rev. William Wirkus to her life-long sweetheart and decorated WWII veteran, William J. Leo, Sr. in Saint Boniface Church in New Haven, in 1946. They lovingly spent 56 years together!
With a long career as the “best” homemaker in West Haven, Tess prepared great Italian food and often found extended family and friends at her dinner table on Wednesdays which was “Prince Spaghetti Day.”
Later, she embarked on a huge milestone with a move to Prescott, Arizona in 2010 to be near family members. With her piercing blue eyes and beautiful white hair, Tess quickly made friends in her new surroundings and was a voracious reader and puzzle enthusiast.
Tess is survived by 8 of her 9 children, Barbara (Carl) Martens; Curt (Lisa) Leo; Donna (Dean) Warner; Susan (Paul) Eden; William/Will (Nicki) Leo, Jr.; Beth (Mike) Kumjian; Alan (Marie) Leo; and Glen (Lisa) Leo. She also has 5 grandchildren – Matthew; Nicole; Kaitlyn; Cassidy; and Dominic; and 1 great-grandson, Jayden.
Tess was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Leo, Sr. in December, 2002 and her son, Robert B. Leo, in January, 2006.
Special thanks to outstanding staff at Highgate Senior Living; Rolling Hills Manor, and Kindred Hospice for their professionalism, kindness, and genuine concern for Tess and her family members.
On Saturday morning, April 7, visitation will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Paul's Church at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

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