Lena M. Abba

Lena M. Abba, of Herrin, passed away on September 7, 2025 just three months shy of her 100th birthday. She was born Natalina Marie Barni on December 20, 1925 in Inveruno, Province of Milan, Italy to Giosue' Barni and Camilla (Bollasina) Barni. She immigrated to Herrin Illinois in May of 1928.
Lena attended St. Mary's grade school, Colp Junior High, and graduated from Herrin High School in May 1944. After graduation she worked various jobs, ultimately working at the Norge factory in Herrin where she met her future husband, Angelo Abba. Angelo and Lena were wed on September 2, 1957, and enjoyed 47 years of marriage until Angelo's death in 2004.
Lena quit work and became a homemaker in 1958 when their first child was born. After her kids were grown, she later worked many years at the St. Mary's / Our Lady of Mount Carmel School cafeteria. She was a lifelong Catholic and member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, was active in the Daughters of Mary, and volunteered at the Herrin Community Pantry. She made several trips to Italy to visit her family, and the family of her husband Angelo. She was an avid homemaker, and always kept busy supporting her family and living independently until she was 97 years old.
She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Camy & Mike Clark of Paducah, KY; two sons and daughters-in-law, Louis & Gwen Abba of Stiritz, IL and Mike & Kristie Abba of Herrin, IL; grandsons, Bryan Clark of Paducah, Dylan Clark and his fiancée Lauren of Nashville Tennessee, and Nathan Abba of Herrin; step-granddaughter, Ashley Norton of Herrin; step-grandson, Lawrence Norton of Herrin; brother-in-law, John Abba of Stiritz; niece, Tina Kosco and her husband Jim of Johnston City; nephew, Steven Abba of Springfield, IL; great-niece Rebekah Beckham and her husband Kyle of Johnston City; great-nephew, Zack Kosco of Johnston City; cousins, Paul-Dean Garavaglia and Jackie Giles both of Herrin; and several cousins in Italy.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Angelo; parents; brother Donald Barni; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe & Adrianna Abba.
Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Fr. Mark D. Reyling officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the gathering space of the church
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The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses, CNAs, and support staff of Liberty Village - Memory Lane of Marion for their care for the last two years, and particularly for the last few weeks of Lena's life.
Memorials donations may be made to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel New School Fund or Education Foundation, 316 West Monroe Street, Herrin, IL 62948; envelopes will be available at the church.