Lena Mary (Delpero) Dominic of Lansford, Pennsylvania passed from this world on December 8th, 2020 after 88 fruitful years on the planet. She was born February 6th, 1932 in the idyllic Trento region of northern Italy and emigrated to the USA through Ellis Island in New York on December 9th, 1936 with her mother Rosa and brother Mario to reunite with her father Angelo in the mining town of Lansford, Pennsylvania.
She was known as “the most cheerful lass in the room” according to St. Ann’s Silver Pennies class of 1949 and loved swing dancing to the big band shows at the Lakeside Ballroom in Barnesville, PA. She met fellow Lansford west-ender Manuel Dominic and fell in love, eventually marrying in St. Ann’s church on April 7th, 1956 during a surprise spring snow storm.
A cherished family soon followed with the ensuing whirlwind of activities that come with having 5 children being born over 12 years.
Lena was very involved in St. Ann’s Women’s Club, volunteering her formidable culinary skills for block parties and spaghetti dinners at the church. She was well known for her traditional Italian meals with homemade pasta, ravioli, manicotti along with some MEAN meatballs!
Lena worked as a presser at Lansford fashions in the same block of West Ridge Street in Lansford where she lived and if you stood outside on a hot summer’s day you would likely hear one her children yelling up to the 3rd floor window “Mom! MOM!! – can I go to the pool or can I have 50 cents?”
She was known for her dedication to family, church, friends and her community; she served as an election official in Lansford’s west end district for many years.
Her driving force in life was her love for her children and their families. She was a teacher of bicycle riding, ball throwing or batting, and basketball rulebooks. She was the BEST baby sitter and emotional supporter, but her most important lessons were about how to be a good, decent human being and a loving parent.
Lena was well loved and will be well missed
She is survived by:
Daughters - Nina Pennock (husband John) from Hummelstown, PA / Grace Ann Knab (husband Steve) from Limerick, PA / Ann Marie Paluck (husband James) from Jim Thorpe, PA
Sons - Michael Dominic (wife Oralia) from Hershey, PA / Anthony Dominic (wife Michele) from Jim Thorpe, PA
Grandchildren - Michael Pennock, Megan Pennock, Matthew Knab (wife Mary Therese), Dana Knab, Jacob Paluck, Seth Paluck, Frank Clements (wife Kim), Courtney Clements (husband Jamie Huber)
Great grandchildren - Caleb Heller, Aiden Clements, Manon Huber
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Manuel Dominic on May 10th 2018 and her brother Mario Delpero on March 3rd 2016.
Private services.
Interment will be in St. Josephs Cemetery, Bloomingdale.
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