Mrs. Nellie M. Tessier, 76, of 10 Clary Street, passed away on Thursday morning (January 27, 2011) at the St. Regis Nursing Home, where she had been admitted on January 14th.

Nellie was born July 4, 1934 in Burke, the daughter of the late Andrew and Gladys Gaurin Dumas. She attended schools in Massena. On August 2, 1952, she married Fernand J. Tessier at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brasher with Rev. Lynch, officiating. He predeceased her on April 22, 2006.

Nellie worked in home health care in Potsdam for many years, retiring in 2005. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a member of the Women of the Moose. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, music and dancing. She also loved playing computer games, a few visits to the casino, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her six children, Mary Britt of Suffok, VA, Michael Tessier and his wife, Elaine of Massena, Brian Tessier of Hopewell, VA, Laura Simonelli and her husband, Ken of Florence, NJ, Louise Singleton and her husband, Walter of Massena, and Anne Tessier and her companion, Jeff Barney of Massena; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild; two sisters, Patricia Charland of Cicero and Lucille “Curly” Maheau of Cornwall, Ontario; a brother, Earl Dumas of Oswegatchie; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Junior Ernest and Morris Dumas; and a half sister, Norma Losey.

Friend may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, on Wednesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. J. Michael Gaffney, celebrating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Massena.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Massena Rescue Squad.

Condolences may be made online at www.donaldsonfh.com.