My name is Jo Ceil Whitaker and I am a former TPD LEO and a friend of Debby Tessier. As many of you know, Alan Tessier passed away on November 26, Thanksgiving morning. He was improving and had planned to be home before Christmas, but a hospital borne infection changed that in a matter of three days and he couldn’t overcome it and lost his battle. His wife, Debby, is devastated as you can imagine and has been left with over $15,000 in expenses not covered by Medicare or Alan’s supplemental policy, along with Alan’s GMC Terrain she doesn’t need and other personal expenses related to their home and life. Alan and Debby were in the process of making updates to their home with the intention of selling it so they could move back closer to Tampa near family and friends to have help close by to assist Debby in caring for Alan’s ambulatory health problems. He suffered from lymphedema that restricted his ability to walk during flare ups and caused vertigo.

Debby will only receive 65% of Alan’s pension each month and that will be her only income. Social Security was affected by the WEP and her widow benefits will be affected now too. Alan was unable to renew his life insurance due to being a diabetic and having atrial fibrillation and lymphedema, so Debby doesn’t have the funds to pay the outstanding bills and expenses to keep her own vehicle and home. She is extremely worried about her future at the same time she is grieving the loss of Alan. She needs immediate financial assistance.

I am asking you to open your hearts and help Debby put her life back together the way Alan would want her to. Alan gave TPD 23 years and was a good friend and coworker to many of you, so let’s help his wife in his honor if you can.