Obituary of Tessa J Jarrett

Tessa Jane Jarrett (nee Neeld), age 52, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Friday, October 7, 2011, at Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital, New Hartford, NY. Tessa was born September 6, 1959, in London, England; the younger daughter of Dennis and the late Moya (McCue) Neeld. She began her education in Surrey, England. Due to her father's work as a foreign correspondent with the British Associated Press, Tessa traveled extensively as a young girl, staying in troubled spots including Kenya, Cambodia, and Lebanon. Eventually, the family came to the United States, living first in Columbia, MO, and later Lantana, FL, where Tessa graduated high school from the Rosarian Academy of West Palm Beach. As a student at Barnard College in New York City, Tessa met and fell in love with Robert Jarrett, a student at next door Columbia University and they were married on September 18, 1982, in Chester Springs, PA. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Barnard with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Bob and Tessa lived in Manhattan where Tessa became a published author of short fiction for several publications. Relocating to Worcester and then Westborough, MA, the Jarretts became parents to three sons before moving briefly to Mount Olive, NJ, and then Clinton, NY, in 1999. Shy and quiet as a teenager who loved to read, Tessa blossomed as a parent involved in the lives of her children and her community. She was seen as a hub around which her many friends would gather for coffee and laughter and she enjoyed watching with pride the athletic and musical activities of her boys and the children of her friends. She was a member of the Kirkland Art Center and worked as an artisan with print, textiles, and quilt making which sold both locally and via the internet. Tessa also successfully marketed her art at the Clinton Farmer's Market. Tessa was beloved for her gentle and gracious manner, her enthusiasm and support for her friends, and her wonderful sense of humor. Tessa is survived by her husband Bob, and their children Owen T. Jarrett and his friend Kevin Shaffer, whom she and Bob regarded as a 'fourth son'; both of Pittsburgh, PA; James W. Jarrett of Syracuse, NY; and William D. Jarrett at home. Tessa also leaves her father Dennis of Sarasota, FL; and sister Rebecca Neeld and Becca's husband Tom Clarke as well as her nephew Murray Clarke, all of Ham, London, England. Memorial calling hours will be at the Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc, 35 College St., Clinton, on Monday, October 10, 2011 from 4 to 7 pm. A Celebration of Tessa's life will be held at the Kirkland Art Center, E. Park Row on Tuesday, October 11, at 11 am. The family requests that gifts in Tessa's memory be made to the Kirkland Art Center.