Lena DiBonaventura

Lena (nee DiCocco) DiBonaventura passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Media, PA, at the age of 88. Born on March 1, 1937 in Guardiagrele, Italy, Lena (originally Leontina) was the daughter of Giovina and Francesco DiCocco. Lena is the second of five children and is predeceased by her sister, Graziella Ricciuti, and survived by her brothers, Donato (Nancy) DiCocco and Pete (Bonnie) DiCocco; and her sister, Lucy (Jeffrey) Hunter.

Lena is survived her devoted husband of 68 years, Adriano. Leontina and Adriano met in 1956 while embarking on a ship to America; both seeking a more prosperous life after the devastation Europe endured during World War II. After arriving stateside, they corresponded for over a year until they married in December 1957. Lena loved children, and God blessed her with four of them; Ida Magee (David), Giovanna “Joanne” France (Saverio), Adriano Jr. and Marco. Lena also had four grandchildren, Christina (Chris), Hannah (Nathan), Diana (Ben), and Anthony, two great-grandchildren, Miles and Theodore, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lena worked for many years in a tailor shop and later was employed by CIGNA. Her final job before retiring was at Divine Providence Village working with disabled children.

Lena, having grown up in a remote rural Italian village, was an avid gardener. With her green thumb and amazing knowledge of plants, she could grow anything. She was an incredible cook and often made homemade bread, pasta, and Italian food. Anyone who met her would leave her house with a full stomach, leftovers, and a smile on their face. Whenever Italian music was playing, one could always count on Lena’s beautiful voice joining in the melody.

A devout Catholic her whole life, Lena possessed an indomitable faith in God. She frequently said the rosary and loved watching Mass on television when she was unable to attend in person. Lena was friendly, thoughtful, and kind, gladly talking to anyone and everyone she met.

Lena will be missed by her family. We are so grateful for the time we were blessed to have a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will always be in our hearts.  We hope she enjoys peace until the day we see her again.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Friday morning, January 9, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. all in church, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 430 Valleybrook Road, Glen Mills, PA 19342. The Mass will be livestreamed on the parish website at https://staparishgm.org/lve-stream-mass

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lena’s memory may be made to the American Stroke Foundation at https://americanstroke.org

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