Linda J (Ferri) Tesoro

Linda J. (Ferri) Tesoro, 82, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Finger Lakes Center for Living, with her family by her side.

A lifelong resident of Auburn, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Katherine (Berrells) Ferri. Linda was a graduate of West High School, Class of 1961. She continued her education at Auburn Community College and attended SUNY Oswego and Nazareth College, pursuing her teaching certification and fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. Linda devoted nearly 40 years to Catholic education, where she was a dedicated and hardworking teacher who found great joy in guiding and inspiring her students.

In retirement, she continued her lifelong commitment to serving others by volunteering with the SCAT van. She cherished time spent with friends, enjoyed long drives, and especially loved shopping trips and lunches with her daughters. A lifelong lover of cats, she welcomed many into her home over the years. Linda was also a devoted parishioner of St. Francis Church, where she generously volunteered at bake sales, parish dinners, and numerous other events. In her later years, as Alzheimer’s disease gradually took her memories it never diminished the love that she had for her family and friends nor the enduring love they continued to have for her.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband of over 60 years, Anthony J. Tesoro; her daughters, Karol Prayne (Gary Mincer) of Canandaigua and MaryKay (John) April of Martville; and her sons, Shawn (Amy) Tesoro of Westborough, MA, and Todd Tesoro of Highland Falls. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, to whom she was lovingly known as “Nonnie”: Alexandria (Tyler) Hubbard, Samantha and Jordan April, and Daniel, Eleanor, Kanaye, and Sakura Tesoro. She is further survived by her brothers, Philip Ferri and Neil (Karen) Ferri, along with several nieces, nephews, and many close relatives and friends. She also held a special lifelong friendship with her “golden girls,” Dorothy Venskytis and Helen Delaney.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Finger Lakes Center for Living for their compassion, kindness, and services. A special thank you to the nurses, aides, and staff of the Interlaken unit for their unwavering support, exceptional care and devotion to Linda and her family during her extended stay.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 30, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at White Chapel Funeral Home, 197 South Street, Auburn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 1, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Church, 303 Clark Street, Auburn. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Auburn.

Donations in memory of Linda, may be made to Finger Lakes Center for Living for the Activities Department as Linda found great pleasure in many of the music programs, food socials, and pet visitations and would want those programs to continue. Memorial donations may also be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Linda will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Arrangements by White Chapel Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda J (Ferri) Tesoro, please visit our floral store.