Dorothy Jean Teskey

Dorothy Jean Teskey, 77, died Sunday, August 11, 2019, in Mesa, Arizona. Jean was born April 9, 1942, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to George and Hannah (Veitch) Teskey who preceded her in death.

She graduated from Bismarck High School in 1960 and received her BS degree in Home Economics Education from North Dakota State University in 1964. After teaching two years in Ellendale, ND, she taught 7th-12th grade Home Economics and Social Studies in the American Overseas Dependents Education program in Bad Kreuznach and Stuttgart, Germany, for seven years. While in Germany she was awarded Outstanding Teacher and Sustained Superior Awards for her work in the classroom.

Upon her return from Europe, she lived in a Chicago, IL, suburb. She worked for Swift and Company as a Product Home Economist for the Fresh Meat and Butterball Turkey divisions as a Martha Logan, demonstrating their products throughout this country. At the National Livestock and Meat Board, she worked with recipe development and food photography. She worked in catering and food demonstration areas for several years after that. She also worked for California Eastern Labs, a computer chip company, for seven years as an administrative assistant. She was the Culinary Arts Instructor in the Education Department at Mingo Job Corps, near Puxico, MO, for over 17 years and retired in 2007.

While with the Job Corps, she lived in Poplar Bluff, MO. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder, Clerk of Session, Adult Sunday school teacher, Moderator of Presbyterian Women, member of the choir, and served on or was chair of various committees. She was a Volunteer at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and participated in the Community Bible Study held at First Presbyterian. She also helped start the Community Book Club. She served as an Election Judge from 2008 through 2012. She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Women's Fraternity, the American Overseas Schools Historical Society, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, and the Missouri Star Quilt Guild.

She loved working with people and helping others achieve their goals. She loved traveling and did so extensively while teaching overseas. She enjoyed driving trips and visited many states seeing the beauty of our wonderful country while visiting friends and family. She loved reading, quilting, and other handcrafts.

In 2013 she moved to Las Palmas in Mesa, AZ, and truly retired. She thoroughly enjoyed her new friends and community. She participated in the Las Palmas Chapel, the Bible Study group, and sang in their choir, was a member of the Book Club, played Bridge, and was involved in Don't Mess With Your Neighbor. She was known as the Master Turkey Roaster for the Thanksgiving potluck, as well as cooking for other potlucks and events at the Clubhouse.

Jean is survived by her sister, Margaret Dalen, Rochester, MN, and her nephews, Geoffrey Dalen, Rochester, MN, and Gregory Dalen (Lonnie Ebertowski) and great niece, Emma Dalen, all of Minneapolis, MN.

Jean's family wishes to thank her caregiver, Carolyn Jordeth, and long-time friend, Carol Foley, for all of their care, love, and assistance.

A memorial service will be held at Las Palmas Chapel, Mesa, AZ, at a later date.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Las Palmas Chapel, 215 N Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85305, OR East Valley Hospice, 1311 W Chandler Blvd #200, Chandler, AZ 85334 OR donor's choice.