December 20,1932 ~ December 15, 2023

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of our beautiful Mother, Lena Marie Pesce (Picardi) of Winchester, MA, Somerville, MA, and Brownfield, ME, who peacefully passed away surrounded by her loved ones on December 15, 2023, at the age of 90. 

Lena was the beloved wife to the love of her life, Angelo Pesce. Dear daughter of the late Rose and Sabado Picardo of Somerville, MA. Cherished mother of daughter Angela Delorfano and her husband Michael of Nashua, NH, daughter Judi O’Neil and her husband Joe of Winchester, MA, her late son Michael Pesce of Brownfield, ME, and her late son William Pesce and wife Alyssa of Melrose, MA. Adoring Grandmother to her cherished grandchildren: Anthony Pesce, Christina O’Neil, Michaela O’Neil, Michael Pesce, Ashley Pesce, Billy Pesce, Taylor Pesce, and Brayden Pesce.

Dearest sister to Phyllis Intravaia and husband Robert of Winchester, Rosemary Picardo of Woburn, and Janet DiCicco and husband Lawrence of Winchester, the late Michael Picardo, and John Picardi. Beloved Aunt to Rosemarie Crowley, Patricia Cronin, Diane Cipro, Leanne Christmas, Joanne Picardi and Michael Picardi. Lena is also survived by her many great nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong friends from all walks of life, and retired colleagues from Harvard University.

Lena’s Catholic faith, spirituality, and relationship with God was one of the most important life-sustaining foundations upon which she conducted her life. She truly lived, “The Golden Rule” and treated everyone she met with kindness and love, through her generous ways. She spent a lifetime passing those values onto her four children and eight grandchildren, as well. Lena lived to spend time with her family. She delighted in being surrounded by her daughters, sons, grandchildren, and extended family members at the dinner table, where life was celebrated through authentic Italian cuisine, hours of story-telling, and much laughter. She loved the ocean, travelling, reading, and dancing in the kitchen with her husband to their favorite music.

Though the passing of her two sons left her utterly heartbroken, Lena never lost her faith, through which she continuously found the greatest strength and comfort. She would remind us, “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.” We know you are walking beside us now, and will continue to guide and watch over us from heaven –  just as you did for us all while here on Earth. 

A “Celebration of Life” Mass will be held at St. Eulalia’s Church in Winchester, MA on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10:00 am. All are invited to join us to celebrate the Mass of our beautiful Mother and her well-lived life.