In Memory of

Lena

Mary

Gambino

(Savino)

Obituary for Lena Mary Gambino (Savino)

WATERVLIET – Lena Mary (Savino) Gambino, 89, passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the Heritage House in Troy.

Lena was the beloved wife for 62 years of the late Samuel A. Gambino who died on Thanksgiving Day in 2008 and the much loved mother of Nancy Gambino and Rosemarie Gambino both of Watervliet and the late Rosalie Ann Romano who was of Cohoes and the late Anthony Gambino who was of Watervliet; grandmother of Sara Curtis; great-grandmother of Michael; sister of Frank (Alice) Savino of Utica and the late Michael, Salvatore and Rosemarie Savino and Nicolette Montepare. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Born in Leominster, Massachusetts to Salvatore and Carmella (Girardi) Savino, Lena moved to Troy at the age of 13. At the age of 18 she married the love of her life Samuel Gambino, upon his return from service in World War II, and soon after moved to Watervliet. Lena dedicated the majority of her life to the care of her family and her home. She loved to cook and bake.

She enjoyed working as a bridal consultant at the Up to Date Shop in Troy and had also volunteered to coordinate trips to bring those with illness to visit noted preacher and healer Reverend Ralph DiOrio. While at those events she also served as an usher. Lena was a long-time communicant of the former St. Patrick’s Church in Watervliet where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of St. Patrick’s Auxiliary.
She was a talented crocheter and created many blankets and Afghans which she lovingly gave away to her family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing, reading and was knowledgeable on both current events as well as history. She had a beautiful singing voice.

Lena’s family wishes to offer their thanks to Dr. Sharon Tietgens who took such good care of Lena and offered so much support to her family; to Joseph Montepare of Florida and Tony Montepare of Atlanta, Georgia for their support; to Mary Ann Savino for all of the support and advice she offered during Lena’s illness; to Frank Savino who was in constant contact several times a day and was “our rock”!; and to the Eddy Heritage House and Physical Therapy for the care given to Lena during each of her visits. You all helped to bless Lena’s life and will forever be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 10:30 from the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway in Watervliet and at 11 am in the Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Troy where the funeral Mass will be celebrated. Rite of committal and interment will follow the Mass in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy. Friends are invited and may also visit with Lena’s family on Friday, November 17, 2017 from 4 until 7 pm at the funeral home.

Those wishing to remember Lena in a special way may consider a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, in her memory.

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