ANN TESTA OBITUARY

The family and friends of Ann Lea Testa mourn her passing on Friday, December 19, 2020 at the Golden Legacy Care Center in Sylmar, CA. after a long illness during which her care and affairs were in the loving hands of her brother, Michael, and her nephew, Matthew.

Ann was a caring and loving person who took great pride in her niece, Marlisse, nephew Matthew, and her grand nieces, Lexi and Willa. She was the sort of person who knew her neighbors well, often taking time to speak to them while outside watering her yard. She loved giving gifts, sending thoughtful cards, celebrating holidays and reminiscing. Ann was an active member of her local Senior Center, where she impressed everyone with her estimable bridge-playing skills and even gave lessons to other players.

Ann was born on January 13, 1948 in New York City. When her family moved to Burbank in 1960, Ann made the cross-country trip by car with her mother, Tess, and Chip, the family dog. Though she remained proud of her New York roots and a fan of the Yankees, Ann was henceforth a California girl.

She attended UCLA where she played flute in the marching band. A multi-instrumentalist, Ann also played piano, guitar and clarinet. She taught music in the LA public school system and composed and played music for a PBS documentary film produced by Edward G. Robinson, Butterflies Don’t Live in the Ghetto. In later years Ann got her JD from Southwestern Law School and practiced briefly. She also worked in a bank.

Along with her mother, Ann had a love of travel. The pair took many cruises around the world. Ann cherished these experiences and kept many albums of photos from her travels. When Tess fell ill, Ann cared for her in her final years. The two were inseparable. Ann stopped traveling after Tess died, preferring to stay close to home. But her last big trip was to attend nephew Matthew’s wedding in Arizona, a lovely gesture that is fondly remembered.

Ann was kind to animals and took great interest in her neighbors’ dogs and a favorite resident hummingbird, whom she called Mr. Buddy, who frequently visited her. We will miss her thoughtfulness and caring, lunches in Burbank, occasional squabbles, sweet gifts and hugs and kisses.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Guide dogs of America, 13445 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342