Teresa Katherine Moscato

Tess Moscato 02/13/1997 – 07/02/2026

We are devastated to announce the passing of Teresa Katherine “Tess” Moscato at the age of 29 on July 2, 2026, due to heart failure as a result of muscular dystrophy. Tess is cherished and loved beyond words by her father John, mother Jeanette, devoted sister Evangeline, and her 4-legged family members. Tess was a quiet, thoughtful, incredibly smart person who observed everything and constantly quietly taught those around her, sometimes without them even noticing. Tess had amazing fortitude and discipline and faced many trials without complaint, simply saying let’s do it. She also had a quick wit and could summarize a situation in a subtle but hilarious one-liner, which she learned from her Great-Grandfather. Tess had a deep love of animals, and a trip to the pet store “just to look” or a plea to foster a rescue would end up with another family member to love.

Above all things, Tess loved her family and spent her life taking care of everyone around her. She and her family were very close, and Tess thrived in the role of family planner for holidays and vacations with detailed itineraries, which would have made her grandfather proud. Her favorite place to travel was Disney World, where she loved the food festivals, Jollywood Nights, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and most of all planning a perfect itinerary of rides and nice meals. She was grateful to fulfill her dream of cruising on the Disney Wish three months before she passed.

Tess enjoyed building Legos and game nights with her cousins Daniel and Marlene. She appreciated how her Uncle Steve really understood her and worked to give her accessible opportunities and her Uncle Tim sent her souvenirs from his many trips. As a child, she had fun adventures with her Godparents Mary and Ted. One of the greatest joys of her life was the arrival of her cousin Mina and it was her fervent hope that she would have the opportunity to watch her grow up.

In high school, Tess enjoyed a summer internship at Goddard Space Flight Center, and upon graduation from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering, she was thrilled to begin her 5-year career as a telecom analyst in the Space Sector of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). It was her dream to travel to Kennedy Space Center to watch the launch of Project Dragonfly in 2028. Working at APL was the honor of her life. She also had a passion for the environment and was hoping to complete her master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Tess’s final selfless acts were giving the gift of sight to a stranger, donating her pacemaker, and contributing to a study that she hoped would prevent this crushing disease from ruining anyone else’s life.

Her family would like to thank her cardiologists and the staff, techs, nurses, and doctors at the Johns Hopkins Progressive Cardiac Care Unit who made her feel valued and respected during the final two months of her life.

In addition to her immediate family, Tess is remembered by her Aunts and Uncles – Steve Weisser, Tim and Rachel Weisser, Liz Harris, Andrew Moscato, and David Moscato, as well as her Grandmother Katherine Moscato and Grandfather Henry Weisser. She also leaves behind Great Aunts and Uncles - Andrew and Chris Ament, Thomas and Linda Moscato, and Mary and Phil Chaikin, as well as Godparents Mary and Ted Kiecal. She is fondly remembered by her cousins James Moscato (Amanda), Tajae Harris, Daniel Moscato (Marlene), Tavia Harris, Dominic Harris, and Mina Moscato.

Tess was preceded in death by her Grandmother Marian Wemple, Grandfather John Moscato, Great Grandparents Andrew and Eleanor Ament and Mary Moscato, Great Aunt and Uncle Jeanne and George LeClercq, as well as several beloved pets.

Family and friends may gather at Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 for a Visitation from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm, with a Prayer Service to begin at 7:00pm. Please feel free to wear bright colors or your favorite Disney attire to honor Tess's vibrant life.

A Christian funeral will take place on Sunday, July 12th, at 2 p.m. at New Hope Lutheran Church, 8575 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046. A celebration of life is also planned for the fall in her Catonsville neighborhood that she loved so much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Tess Moscato to:

Knine Rescue Home - Knine Rescue

Small Miracles Animal Rescue Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue | Ellicott City, MD

Johns Hopkins Nursing Charitable Giving to Johns Hopkins Nursing | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Should you wish to send flowers, the family kindly requests no lilies for allergy reasons.