Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Lena I. (DiBenedetto) Thorndike
About
FUNERAL HOME
Lena (DiBenedetto) Thorndike Obituary
Lena was born in Lawrence, MA, one of the 7 children of Maria (DeMarco) and Giovanni DiBenedetto. She graduated from Holy Rosary Grammar School, Lawrence High School and MacIntosh Business School. She was a medical secretary for Lawrence General Hospital for 25 years, later working for Dr. O'Shea in Lawrence, MA. She was a former member and past President of the Salem Garden Club. Lena's passion was gardening and she thought planting flowers around town was part of her civic duty. In the 60's and 70's he put together a floral display for the annual Central School graduation ceremonies. She planted trees and did landscaping at the Golden Brook School in 1973. She planted red maples at Mary Queen of Peace Church in 1976. Her green thumb beautified the Salem Cooperative Bank lobby for over 30 years. Her home garden was toured on a regular basis during the 70's as she was proud to share its beauty and serenity with all her visitors. She enjoyed baking, bird watching and spending time with her family.
Lena was predeceased by her devoted husband of 49 years, Robert W. Thorndike and her siblings, Jenny DiBenedetto, Angelina Mauceri, Eleanor "Helen" Lomazzo, Marie Cataudella, Margaret DiBenedetto and John DiBenedetto.
She is survived by her sons, David and his wife Linda of Windham, NH and John of Londonderry, NH; 5 grandchildren, Brian, Derek, Angela, Amanda and Candice; 2 great grandchildren, Lilly-Anne and Alexandra and many beloved nieces and nephews. She had a special relationship with her goddaughter, Maria Lomazzo and Maria's siblings Anthony and Paula and her niece Angela Chiara.
Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 23rd from 4:00-6:00 pm at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. The Funeral Service will follow at 6PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be on Saturday at 10AM at Cemetery on the Hill, Range Rd. Windham, NH.
Memorial contributions in Lena's name may be sent to Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd, Merrimack, NH 03054.
Memories and Condolences
for Lena (DiBenedetto) Thorndike
February 13, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
David Thorndike
February 4, 2015
My Mother Lena was Truly a Force to Behold.
She raised me along with my brother John as the Matriarch of the Thorndike Family.
She was the strongest woman I have ever known.
She Loved her family,her flowers & her gardens,to say Lena had a Green Thumb was an understatement.
She was always there when you needed her the most and was never bashful about giving you her opinion.
I will always remember the little things she did that made such a difference in my life and will miss those special times we shared together.
Now you can join Dad in the Garden Ma.
Your Loving Son,
David
"REMEMBER ME"
Remember me when flowers bloom
Early in the Spring
Remember me on sunny days
In the sun that summer brings
Remember me in the fall
As you walk through the fields of gold
And in the wintertime remember me
In the stories that are told
But most of all remember
Each day-right from the start
I will be forever near
For I will live in your heart
Jill
February 2, 2015
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
trina Chiara
January 23, 2015
I first learned that carrots and peas actually originated from the soil, not the Demoulas supermarket from my Auntie Lena and Uncle Bob. I remember my aunt as a principled woman and someone who understood the significance of having siblings. One day in CT, my Nana, Mom and I called Auntie Lena and my grandmother and Lena said they wished they could see each other soon. I know they are visiting now. Auntie Lena's passing marks the finality of an era I remember so well. Strength to Lena's sons whom she loved so much. Trina Chiara Manganello Avon, CT
January 23, 2015
My condolences to the family. I'm sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares deeply about you and will give you the strength and support to cope at this time. Isaiah 57:15
January 23, 2015
My heart goes out to the entire family. I hope the God of all comfort can comfort you during this difficult time.
Ann DiBenedetto
January 22, 2015
Thinking of you all. I have fond memories of our shopping trips especially with my cousins to the Peabody shopping mall when we were young.
I hope she and my dad are enjoying a cup of tea. (Fine china tea cups, of course.)
Kay Chun
January 21, 2015
My sympathy and love to Dave and the family. It was my pleasure to have had the chance to meet Lena. She was a charming hostess and made me feel very welcome in her home.
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results