LENA DANNA MANDOLA

1927-2018

Lena Mandola, age 90, beloved Mom and Maw Maw, died peacefully in her home on August 15, 2018 surrounded by her family.

Lena was born in Houston, Texas on September 10, 1927 to Antonette (Chiavone) and Sam Danna and remained in Houston all of her life.

Lena graduated from Jeff Davis High School in Houston, Texas. She married Joe on June 17, 1945. From that day forward, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. Lena’s Catholic faith was paramount in her life. She and Joe were lifelong members of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where she was instrumental in starting Bible studies, was a member of the Catholic Daughters and an Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Lena’s Italian Heritage was so very important to her. She was a lifelong member of the Allegria Club and was very involved at the Italian Cultural Center from its beginning. She and Joe were faithful workers at all of the Italian Festivals and she played a huge role in the publication of the “Houstonians of Italian Descent,” Volumes I & II. She worked so hard on this project and was so proud to be a part of it.

We will always remember Mom for her loving and genuine hospitality to family and friends. She loved to cook and feed people—and she was GREAT at it! She taught us so many beautiful life lessons and we will miss her so very much.

Lena was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Joe Mandola.

She leaves behind her four children and their spouses Jeannine and Joe Madden, Frank and Debbie Mandola, Dee Mandola and Judy Ingram, and Sam Mandola. She also leaves behind her 11 precious grandchildren and their spouses Janna and Sam Moore, Jeff and Holley Madden, Jennifer and Gregg Abernathy, Alicia and TJ Clark, Jacquelyn Mandola, Joseph and Rose Mandola, Lauren and Jaime Marquez, Michelle and Josh Jolin, Jessica and Will Baldwin, Keri and Scott Baxter, and Jordan Ashworth. She also leaves 20 Great Grandchildren behind Sam and Max Moore, Jackie, Joe Rick, Ben, Abby, and Charlie Madden, Lena and Reed Abernathy, Paulina and Tommy Clark, Lauryn, Madelyn, and Ross Hinojosa, Olivia and Hayden Marquez, Jack Jolin, Brooks Baldwin, Hadley and Olivia Baxter.

Our sincere thanks to Mom’s three precious and faithful caregivers: Mary Prince, Carolyn Rodgers and Fay Conley.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, August 19, 2018 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024.

Funeral Mass will be conducted on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 10:00 am with Rev. Francis Macatangay officiating at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, Texas 77024 with a reception to follow. Graveside service will be at 3:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church or the Italian Cultural Center.