Pasqualina "Lena" (DiPietro) Trodella, of Somerville, formerly of Boston's North End, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 20th at the Cambridge Hospital. She was 78.
Born and raised in Calore, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Rosella (Lepore) DiPietro. Following high school graduation, in 1959, Lena met her husband Pietro and the two wed in Italy. Shortly thereafter, Lena and Pietro immigrated to the United States and started their family in Boston’s North End, where they lived for seventeen years. In 1976, Lena and Pietro moved to Somerville, where Lena has resided for the past forty years.
A devout Catholic, each day, Lena would attend Mass and watch the Mass in the Vatican on television. Lena spent her life in service to the church. She worked as a cook for the Franciscan Friars at St. Leonard Church in Boston, up until her passing. Lena’s love for cooking carried over into her family life as well. She enjoyed being in the kitchen and cooking for those she cared for. In her spare time, Lena enjoyed being with her family, whom she loved unconditionally. She also enjoyed playing the lottery on occasion. Lena loved to give to others by crocheting for her children, grandchildren and friends. Her family could count on her for calling them each day, to say hello and to wish them well. Lena was truly dedicated to her family.
Lena was the beloved wife of the late Pietro “Peter” Trodella, with whom she shared forty-three loving years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Rosalie Nesta of Somerville, Angelo Trodella of Boston’s North End, Francesca Sullivan and her husband Joseph of Reading. The loving grandmother of Gina Marshall and her husband Michael, Cristina Lukas and her husband Greg, Joseph and Deanna Nesta, Mariana Trodella, Vincent, Joseph (J.P.) and Liana Sullivan. The loving great grandmother of Dominic, Briella and Joseph P. Nesta, Talia, Michael E. and Aviana Marshall, and Anniveth Merrero. The dear sister of Maria Luciano and her late husband Raffaele of Everett, the late Carmen DiPietro and his wife Emanuela, Antonietta Cotugno and her husband Gerardo, all of Italy. She was the sister-in-law of Carmela Trodella and her late husband Guiseppe of East Boston and the Late Angelina and her late husband Pasquale. Lena is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford, on Tuesday, January 26th at 8:45 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Leonard Church, Hanover Street, Boston, at 9:45 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, January 25th, from 4 through 8 PM. Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden.