Editor's Note

We asked people to send in vignettes about Pat Tesman for a special ADTALK tribute. Following are exerpts from Emcee Herb Barry’s introduction to her March 24 tape, an anonymous offering and a farewell from Karen DeLuca.

“It is difficult to describe Pat Tesman in one word. Orange and dress are two of them. More importantly, one much more appropriate word is ‘dedicated’ — 28 years at Gianettino, Meredith and Tesman — oops, that’s my editorial comment. She is thoroughly and totally dedicated to G&M, her clients, this Advertising Club, and anyone lucky enough to call Pat a friend.

“‘Diplomat’ is another descriptive word for Pat Tesman. Being president of the New Jersey Ad Club in today’s world is akin to getting Ariel Sharon an invitation to a temple in Mecca, but somehow, Pat pulls it off. No matter the problem, Pat says, ‘I’ll call so and so myself,’ and the issue is resolved.

“Another one-word description for our Ms. Tesman, actually I need two words for this: ‘neatness personified!’ A fleck of dust on her desk or in her apartment has about the same chance as Michael Moore getting an invite to a barbecue at a certain President’s ranch in Crawford, Texas. But if I were to pick ONE word to describe Pat, that word would be ‘courageous.’ For the past decade, she has walked around with a time bomb ticking in her body. Pat has fought the big ‘C’ with the same tenacity she has used in every other aspect of her life. Let’s add a few more words to Pat Tesman’s resume: Hall of Famer.”

One thing Herb left out is Pat’s uncanny sense of proper English. She’d find a typo almost where there was none, circling with her ever-present purple pen misplaced participles, wayward or missing commas, misspelled nouns, verbs and objects. Even when you thought your essay was perfect, she’d find a flaw. That’s the way it was with Pat.

From an admirer
Professionalism, kindness, warmth and glow are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of of Pat Tesman. To have known someone of such high personal caliber makes one feel both privileged and humbled. I have a small photograph of Pat tacked to my office wall, probably taken during the time she first underwent chemotherapy several years ago. This tiny portrait speaks volumes to me; it’s more than just a reminder of a beautiful person. It’s an inspiration to be all I can be each day, to give all that I have, to not give in to tepidness when such temptations arise. And to pay attention to details (especially spelling and grammar.) During her last months with us, Pat proved that beauty and purpose were more than one’s appearance and skill set. They were what comes from within, the blossoms of a life nurtured by dignity and grace.

From Karen DeLuca
If only everyone could have a friend like Pat. I will miss her every day. She has left a space in my heart that will never be filled. Pat had such a sense of style from the tip of her nose to those oh-so-red painted toes. As she would say, “Ta ta” for being
just who you were.

return to May 2005 Adtalk