Lena Olivia Passarino

Lena Olivia Passarino, passed away at her home in Santa Cruz on April 22, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. She was 91. Lena was born in Davenport on May 1, 1922, one of five children born to Luigi and Caterina (Bellini) Lombardi. She grew up in Davenport and later Santa Cruz where she was a graduate of Santa Cruz High School. In 1964 Lena married Claude Passarino. She worked many years as a secretary for State Farm Insurance. Lena was a long-time member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and a former member of the Italian Catholic Federation. She enjoyed weekend get-aways with her family and friends to Lake Tahoe and many other places. She loved challenging crossword puzzles, crocheting and gardening, she grew beautiful roses. She is survived by her numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Passari no, her brothers, Dante Lombardi and Olivio Lombardi and her sisters, Pia DelChiaro and Eva Previtali. A vigil and rosary will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA on Sunday April 27, 2014 beginning at 7:00 pm. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. A private Mass of Christian burial will be held the following day at Holy Cross Mission with entombment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions are preferred to the Alzheimers's Association, 1777 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95062 or Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle or express your condolence to Lena's family. Lena's family wishes to express a special heartfelt thanks to Susan and Curtis Mothershed and Sharon Bowman for the loving care and unconditional love they provided Lena.