Wanda Anne Luciani-Kesses

Wanda Anne Luciani-Kesses, devoted wife, beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend passed from this world on Wednesday, March 27 surrounded by her adoring family at her Woodbridge home after a brief illness. Wanda was born on March 16, 1957 to the late Gloria and Ettore (Sheik) Luciani, Jr. and resided most of her life in Woodbridge together with dozens of cousins, aunts, uncles, and countless friends. Wanda is survived by her husband Steve, daughters Kasey Kesses, Kortney (Jacob Raphaelson) Kesses, and son Kyle Kesses. She will be forever missed by her sister, Wendy (Anthony) Coppola, brothers, Wayne (Wendy) Luciani and Warren (Alicia) Luciani, as well as dozens of relatives for whom she cared deeply. A 1975 graduate of Amity High School, Wanda later graduated from American University in Washington, D. C. in 1981 where she majored in Communications. Her first professional position was at ABC News, Channel 8 in New Haven where she went on to become the first female director of live commercials and news broadcasts in the station’s history. Eventually, her strong desire to be a mom led her away from the corporate world. She and Steve married in 1986 and started their family in 1987. Wanda was proud of her family’s long history in Woodbridge. She enjoyed photography, traveling, seeking new adventures, and meeting new people. She loved farming and working with her hands. It was this love paired with her keen sense of design and vision that led her, along with a cousin, to purchase and develop 25 acres of land in Woodbridge in the year 2000. Wanda eventually designed and built the house that she and her family resided in for the rest of her wonderful life. Wanda woke up each day with a singular mission: to help and guide others. Her never-ending thoughtfulness, selflessness, and her genuine love for people touched everyone she knew. Wanda was a devoted parishioner at Our Lady of The Assumption Church in Woodbridge where she was a lector during mass and a catechism teacher for more than 20 years. Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Wednesday, April 3rd from 4PM to 7PM at Our Lady of The Assumption Church, 81 Center Rd in Woodbridge. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 4th at 10AM, also at Our Lady of The Assumption. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Hippocrates Research Foundation, 1790 Hughes Landing Blvd. The Woodlands, TX. 773870 (hippocratesresearchfoundation.org).

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