Service Details
Private funeral services will be held
Memorial Suggestions
Remembrances can be made to the University of Wisconsin’s programs: School of Education, Carbone Cancer Center and Garding Against Cancer, Marching Band, and Veterinary School
Lucy Ann Tenuta, 94, passed away peacefully at Lawlis Family Hospice, Mequon, in the early morning of September 29, 2021.
She was born March 1, 1927, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Albert Theodore (Ted) and Caroline (Oldenburg) Taylor. Her parents divorced early in her life, unusual for the time, but as an only child, she was loved by her aunts and especially Uncle Billy Heiden. She attended church from an early age and there, she met Doris Ziebell (now Schaning). The two remained friends until her passing.
Lucy Ann graduated from Milwaukee Lincoln High School, where she was salutatorian of her class. She attended Milwaukee Extension, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin Madison. She graduated in 1948, majoring in education. She taught algebra and geometry at Milwaukee Bay View for several years. She met Fred Tenuta from Kenosha while doing her student teaching and they married July 11, 1953 after he returned from Fulbright Scholar studies in Italy.
She stayed home to raise two children, Fred and Jean, in the Kenosha area, but never lost the ability to teach others and was a life-long learner. She enjoyed PBS programming, particularly cooking, healthcare and travel shows. She never weighed more than 100 pounds unless she was pregnant, but she loved food and dining out. She said she wasn’t a good cook, but she always had company at dinner time. She also enjoyed talk, game and music shows. She also was proud of her university. She told stories about college life and attending football games. When the kids would attend football and men’s basketball games, they would call Mom at half time so she could hear “Varsity.”
Lucy Ann developed an interest in genealogy and was able to trace lineage to the Revolutionary War. This made her eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was active in the Kenosha Chapter and held several leadership positions. She loved the camaraderie of her DAR sisters, particularly Marge Hewitt.
She was a strong person. She survived the passing of her mother at age 108, and then the death of her husband Fred from cancer just months later in 1993. She also cared for her son Fred when he was stricken with cancer in 2010, taking him to all of his treatments until his passing in 2012.
She is survived by her daughter, Jean Tenuta and son-in-law Robert Bennett, who cared for her in their home over the past year. The meals weren’t very good, but she always wanted a green vegetable, and finished with ice cream and Coke. She also was happy to share with the felines, Buster and Garfield. She loved to spoil departed furbabies Huey, Chicken Neck, Tony, Tippy, Zippy and Tito with tuna, sardines, and salmon when they would come to visit at her house. She also is survived by friend Doris Schaning and godson Gary Schaning.
The family wishes to thank the healthcare heroes at Froedtert South: Dr. Aimee Ledesma and her staff for their care for many years; the staff from Horizon Home Care: Lisa, Diane, Jessica, Tracy and John; and the staffs at The Kathy Hospice in West Bend and Lawlis Hospice (especially Laura) for their care and comfort in recent months.
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