Lena M. Alestra

Lena Alestra age 99 of Mullica Hill passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on June 24, 2022. Born in Philadelphia to the late Philip Anzaldo and Anna (nee Zirilli) who were born and raised in Sicily, Italy. Lena graduated from West Catholic Girls in Philadelphia. She was a nurses aid during WWII and loved writing letters to many soldiers. She married James Alestra in 1947. Her dear husband Jimmy passed away at age 56, over 41 years ago. He dearly loved his wife and 5 daughters.
In her early years, Lena was very active in the community and church, and her children's school activities. Lena has always loved cooking. She was responsible for starting Holy Name of Jesus church's spaghetti dinners. She also enjoyed bowling in her younger years. She worked at Columbia Records in Pitman, NJ and at Thomas Scientific until she was 80 years old. And she has always been a passionate Phillies fan. Lena loved traveling and going on cruises with her daughters and friends. And she loved going to the casino, even very recently. Most of all, Lena loved her family and adored her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all her many nieces and nephews and friends.
Lena is survived by her 5 daughters, Carmel (Steve) Brown, Joanne (Doug) Johnston, Cynthia (Mitch) Tourigian, Jaimie (Eric) Zeidler and Leeann (John) Azzari; 10 grandchildren (James, Staci, Brad, Dezi, Gregory, Mitchell, Lindsay, Richelle, Natalie and Gabrielle) and 7 great grandchildren (Griffin, Vincenzo, Thomas, Everett, Giuliana, Isabella and Sloane).
Family and friends may visit from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday June 28, and from 9am to 10am on Wednesday June 29 at Smith Funeral Home, 47 Main St., Mantua, NJ. This will be followed by a Funeral Mass at Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit at Holy Name Jesus Parish Center 17 Earlington Ave., Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 at 11am. Interment will follow at Holy Name of Jesus cemetery.