Lena Randazzo Torres

1921 - 2021

Lena Randazzo Torres was born on January 29, 1921 in the small village of Docville (known for its scenic tunnel of oak trees) in St. Bernard Parish. The trees were planted by her father Salvador "Sam" Randazzo who was the overseer for Dr. L. A. "Doc" Meraux. The oldest of five children, Lena grew up on the Docville farm with her father, Sam, her mother, Petrina Livaccari Randazzo, her three brothers, Anthony "Tony'', Lawrence, Manuel and her sister Camille. Together with her family members she contributed to the many chores associated with the work on the farm. As a teenager one of her responsibilities was to assist "Doc" Meraux with the farm's bookkeeping. It was through his insistence that she later attended Soule Business College in New Orleans. Women were first allowed to vote in the United States in 1920 less than a year before Lena was born. Active in politics her entire life, Lena served as the first female poll commissioner in St. Bernard Parish at the age of 2l launching an unprecedented 70-year history in politics. A graduate of Maumus High School and fresh out of Soule Business College in 1940 she began a career in public service that would leave an indelible legacy in St. Bernard Parish. As a young Clerk of Court staff member she studied, practiced and respected the role and responsibilities of the Clerk's Office - later transforming it into a model for Clerk's Offices across the State of Louisiana. Lena met Sidney Torres at a political rally in 1942, and married him the following March. Two children, Lena Nunez (the late Leander G. Nunez, Sr.) and Sidney D. Torres III (Roberta Burns) were born of the union. Her husband Sidney was elected Clerk of Court in 1956 and Lena served as Chief Deputy until his death in 1988. She was appointed Clerk of Court and then elected that same year, unopposed, and served for 24 years. During her over 70 years in public service, Lena built a reputation for always being on the job and available to anyone in need of assistance. Her dedication and commitment to the citizens she represented, who she considered as family, was her trademark. Most notably, and within days following Hurricane Katrina, Lena was in her office where some areas had been submerged in water as high as nine feet. The criminal department was the hardest hit, but with the District Attorney's office on the 2nd floor, she obtained copies and reconstructed some 68,000 active criminal files. She received help from the Supreme Court to freeze dry damaged records, providing a less than 5% loss. With assistance from other Louisiana Clerk's, their staffs, members of her own staff able to return, Lena reopened the Clerk's office in the Courthouse lobby in a matter of weeks, providing residents with vital records necessary to start rebuilding their lives. Besides her decades of public service, Lena has been active in numerous professional, civic and Philanthropic organizations and was instrumental in forming the St. Bernard Business & Professional Women's Club. In 1963 she was chosen Woman of the Year by that group and later received its Community Involvement Award and Lifetime Achievement for Public Service to the People of St. Bernard Parish. She was also the recipient of the Alliance for Good Government President's Award, Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business' Hall of Fame Award, Louisiana State University School of Medicine Strength In Age Award, Civic Award, Sports Hall of Fame, American Italian Society and recognized multiple times by the Louisiana State Legislature, Governor and Lieutenant Governor for her many years of loyal, dedicated and ethical services to the citizens of the State. In 1949 she helped organize the Our Lady of Lourdes Carnival Club to raise money to purchase an organ for the Church located in Violet, Louisiana. The organization has continued its mission of raising funds for the Church over the past 70 years. She was crowned Queen of the Lourdes Ball in 1958. She served as the Chairman, St. Bernard Chapter March of Dimes, Board of Directors Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, St. Bernard Society for Crippled Children, Board of Directors, St. Bernard Bank, Serra Club, Kiwanis Club, The Elenians Club (charter member), Canary Island Descendants Association and Los Islenos Cultural & heritage Society. She was also inducted into the New Orleans Women of Fashion's Prix d'Elegance Hall of Fame. In addition to her two children, Lena has three grandsons, Leander G. Nunez, Jr. (Robin Soignet) Sidney D. Torres IV (Selina White), Anthony "Tony" Torres (deceased), two great granddaughters, Carlee Marie Nunez and Sefina Donecia Torres and two great grandsons, Sidney D. Torres V and Drew Anthony Nunez. Some call her St. Bernard Parish's "First Lady." Lena Randazzo Torres, however, measured success not so much by the accolades and achievements, but by the number of people she was able to help during her many years of public service. She would often tell others, "I enjoyed working and I enjoyed helping people, I tried to do all that I could." Special thanks to her caregivers: Donnetta Maurice, Sharron Payne, Helen Shelton, Cheryl Billew, Marita Lee, and Edrena Gillen; Dr. Paul Verrette, Monique Young, and St. Bernard Parish / Ochsner Hospital. Also special thanks to Charles and Kim Bienvenu of The Palms Too Restaurant and Tommy Tommaseo of Rocky and Carlo's Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to do so, please donate to a Catholic Church in St. Bernard Parish; Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, 2320 Paris Rd., Chalmette, LA 70043; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2621Colonial Blvd., Violet, LA70092 or Saint Bernard Catholic Church, 2805 Bayou Rd. St. Bernard, LA 70085. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, 2320 Paris Rd., Chalmette, LA on Thursday, March 18th from 9:00am-1:00pm, followed by a Funeral Mass in Lena's memory beginning at 1:00PM. She will be laid to eternal rest in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing are required. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.