Shirley L. Stinson (Tedesco) was born to Rose and Anthony Tedesco in New Orleans, La. on April 13, 1935. She died peacefully in her sleep, on Nov. 21, 2024 in Slidell, La., at the age of 89.

Shirley graduated from John McDonough High School and was married to Donald E. Stinson in 1953. She worked part-time as a church secretary while raising and caring for her devoted family. Shirley was the centerpiece of her family and nourished, protected, and worried about each individual member. As her family grew, gatherings for the holidays became the central events in everyone’s lives. “Mom’s” spaghetti and meatballs with fried eggplant, red beans and rice, and shrimp and mirliton casserole were coveted dishes that everyone loved. Thanksgiving nights were spent by the family around her table playing board games to much laughter and excitement.

She was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Picayune, Miss. and never missed an opportunity to attend Rosary, Adoration, or to help with the St. Joseph Altar. She was a devoted Catholic who always had a shrine to the Blessed Mother in her yard and always said prayers for anyone she knew was hurting or dealing with difficulties. Shirley loved and cared for animals throughout her life. She would save bread to “feed the birds” along with squirrels, raccoons, and whatever else would gather outside her Hide-A-Way home. Her beloved dogs were always by her side and she pampered them as she did her children. Hummingbirds were a favorite of hers and there were always pictures and figures of them around her home. She also loved flowers, particularly the Magnolia. She and her beloved group of friends referred to themselves as “The Magnolias” and she always looked forward to their outings together. As a symbol of grace and strength, the magnolia, was a perfect representation of her.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony Tedesco; her mother, Rose Tedesco; her brother, Salvadore Tedesco and her husband, Donald Stinson who died on July 14, 2013.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Sheri Prestridge (Keith), Sheila Guarino (Danny), Rebecca Kreamer (Charles), and Barry Stinson (Pam). She had 12 grandchildren, Jared, Josh, Erica, Kristen, Charles, William, Eleanor, Jack, Leah, Thomas, James, and Kate, and had  five great-grandchildren.

A church service will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the Picayune SPCA or to Strive Incorporated d/b/a Miller Manor 333 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 or www.striveincorporated.org.

Her family knows that she has been welcomed into God’s arms and has been reunited with her loving Husband, Brothers, and Mother in God’s Kingdom. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her wonderful caretakers who looked after her during the last years of her life.