Grace TeSelle's Obituary
Grace TeSelle, 96, of Gainesville, FL passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Grace was born in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania on February 10, 1928, to Harold and Hulda Fisher Hill.
After.college, she moved to Washington D.C. where she worked at the State Department. She met the love of her life, Virgil TeSelle, (who was also a State Department employee) while bowling.
They moved to Northern Virginia after marrying in 1954. Together they had three children of whom they were very proud. Grace was mostly a stay at home Mom who volunteered in local elections, did substitute teaching, and freelance typing as Virgil continued a career at the State Department under various administrations.
Grace attended and received her Bachelor Degree from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. After graduating, she worked as a teacher for several years before moving to Washington.DC.. She began work as a legal secretary after her children were out of elementary school, later taking courses to become a Paralegal. She took mainframe computer courses in the 70s, and was an early adapter of technology. After Virgil retired from the State Department, he took picture framing classes and he and Grace ran a picture framing business. In addition, she started and ran a successful desktop publishing business until they moved from Falls Church, VA to Gainesville, FL in 1992.
She was a faithful Christian and longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church, serving on several committees and running the Trinity art display and shows. She was a member of the Fisherman’s Sunday School Class.
Grace enjoyed swimming in her pool, sewing, arts and crafts, writing her life story, and socializing with her many friends. Sundays with the “Subway Saints” were some of her happiest times.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Virgil TeSelle, sisters Mary and Irene, her son in law Bill D’Amico,and many other friends and family.
Grace is survived by her children; daughters Luanne and Ginny, son-in-law Gene Lowe, son Gary, grandchildren Adam, Tyler, Bailey, Jonathan and Hannah, and two great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025,at 2:00PM at Trinity United Methodist Church Chapel 4000 NW 53rd Ave., Gainesville, FL with Rev. Marisa Gertz and Rev. Dr. Dan G. Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation. https://t2t.org/
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