Lena Mary Pedone

Lena Mary Pedone, 100, loved her family. She believed that family, service, community and generosity were the cornerstones of a life well lived. She lived every moment by this mantra, and knew that a life without family, friends and giving, wasn""t really a life worth living. She loved lunching with her sisters, Grace Scelfo, 92, and Rose Malcolm, 97, often. She hated the beach, but went anyway because her family loved it. She was at every dance recital, concert, holiday performance, and family function through the years, especially if her grandchildren were involved. Lena married the love of her life, Phillip Pedone, in 1931, at the height of the Great Depression. They were happily married for 67 years, moved to Lakeland in the 1950s, and spent many mornings walking Lake Hollingsworth hand-in-hand; though, she often secretly prayed for rain. Philip and Lena loved visiting family in San Francisco, taking trips to Las Vegas, and being good to family and friends. Philip and Lena were generous in the years they were given and loved giving to many charities including the Lakeland Regional Medical Center (now Lakeland Regional Health), Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Florida Baptist Children""s Home, Florida Sheriff""s Youth Villa, Santa Fe Catholic High School, St. Joseph""s Catholic Church, the Wellman Cancer Center and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Lena was a Pink Lady at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, a member of Lakeland Regional Medical Center's Auxiliary and coordinated the Christmas Gift Shop for the hospital as well. She also proudly served as secretary of the Engineers"" Wives Club of Polk County, and most certainly lived life her way, on her own terms. Lena""s window boxes on Jonila, filled with red geraniums, were a neighborhood favorite. She and Philip built their house in 1959. Lena was the last original owner on Jonila having lived there for 56 years. Lena loved the Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote. She was an avid reader, and loved checking books out from the library every Saturday. She especially enjoyed escaping reality in the delightful works of Jackie Collins, John Grisham, and Danielle Steele. She was a phenomenal cook and paid homage to her Italian, and particularly Sicilian, roots with family favorites that included spedini and rice balls. She was also an avid baker; blackberry pie, homemade breads, strawberry cr""me pie were her specialties. Her grandchildren fondly remember cutting out their handprints in the extra pie crust and creating cookies sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Lena was born on December 7, 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was a devout Catholic, prayed daily, and kept the faith throughout her life. Lena passed away of natural causes on Monday, November 9, 2015, 28 days shy of her 101st birthday. She lived a full and happy life, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her. She is survived by her daughter Mary Pedone Greaser, her granddaughter Tiffany Greaser Osler, her great grandchildren Elle Greer and Chase Edward Phillip Osler, and her sisters Grace Scelfo and Rose Malcolm. She is also survived by her other Italian Catholic family, of which there are many nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death by her husband Phillip Joseph Pedone, daughter Mickey Pedone Peace, son-in-law James Leon Peace, her grandson Philip James Peace, her brothers Fred and Anthony (Helen) Brocco, and her mother and father, Mary Lemark and Joseph Brocco. The family invites you to celebrate Lena""s life on Thursday, November 19th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph""s Catholic Church - 210 West Lemon Street Lakeland, FL 33815. Visitation will be from 10:00-10:30 a.m. at the same location. Reception to follow Lena's celebration of life mass at The Lakeland Yacht and Country Club, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the causes of Lena""s heart: "Good Shepherd Hospice " 3470 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33805 "Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine " 1021 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33805 "Lakeland Regional Health Foundation - P.O. Box 95448 Lakeland, FL 33804-5448 Service: 11/19/2015 St. Joseph's Catholic Church 210 West Lemon Street, Lakeland, FL 33805 St. Joseph's Catholic Church Visitation: 11/19/2015 St. Joseph's Catholic Church