Tessa Menzies Bio
Tessa Menzies was an American businesswoman, knitter, and celebrity mother widely known for being the wife of William Newsom and the mother of Gavin Newsom, an American politician and businessman who has been the 40th governor of California since 2019.
Tessa Menzies Obituary, Age, Husband and Kids
BIRTH: 28 Nov 1946
BIRTH PLACE: San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA
DEATH: 9 May 2002 (aged 55)
PLACE OF DEATH: San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA
PLACE OF BURIAL: Dutch Flat Cemetery, Dutch Flat, Placer County, California, USA
Tessa Thomas Newsom, the mother of San Francisco Governor Gavin Newsom, died Thursday in her San Francisco home after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 55 years old.
Mrs. Newsom, a striking and energetic woman who enjoyed antiques, knitting, and needlepoint, was most recently the controller of PlumpJack Management Group, a chain of cafes, wine shops, and other Northern California businesses owned by her son.
“My mother would knit while watching a movie. She refused to sit still “Hilary Newsom Callan, her daughter, confirmed this. “Even though she was sick, she worked seven days a week. It was absolutely incredible.”
Mrs. Newsom and her identical twin sister, Anne, were born on November 28, 1946, in San Francisco. Her father, Arthur L. Menzies, worked as an assistant curator at Golden Gate Park’s Strybing Arboretum. Barbara Menzies, her mother, performed in the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop as Jean T. Addis.
Mrs. Newsom was a champion singles tennis player as a teenager and graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco. She enrolled at Chico State College but dropped out at the age of 19 to marry William A. Newsom Jr., a tax attorney for J. Paul Getty’s family.
The couple married in 1966 and had two children: Gavin in 1967 and Hilary in 1968. Mrs. Newsom never remarried after they divorced in 1971.
Mrs. Newsom worked as a legal secretary while raising her two children. She also attended the University of San Francisco on a part-time basis, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in social studies. It was one of her most proud achievements.
Mrs. Newsom was a Marin County real estate agent. Later, she joined her son’s PlumpJack company, eventually rising to the position of controller.
Mrs. Newsom, a natural athlete with an infectious smile, balanced a slew of activities with her work and home life.
She was a voracious reader and traveler who pushed her children to learn French and Italian.
Mrs. Newsom, an antique collector, enjoyed traveling to Europe in search of an unusual find.
“My mother enjoyed a good hunt at a flea market in Rome, Paris, and London,” Callan explained. “She’d come across the most amazing antiques.”
Mrs. Newsom was diagnosed with breast cancer almost four years ago. Her disease eventually spread to her liver. Despite her failing health, she attended both of her children’s weddings last year.
“She really tried to fight to survive,” her sister, Anne Scherer, said. “Tessa was very fortunate to witness their marriage.”
Mrs. In addition to her daughter, son, and twin sister, all of whom live in San Francisco,
Cindy Asner, of Studio City, is Newsom’s other sister.
“A private memorial service was held,” according to the San Francisco Gate.
William Newsom Cause of Death
Newsom died of ulcerative colitis on December 12, 2018, at the age of 84, at his home in San Francisco, less than a month before his son Gavin took office as governor.
