Antonina Lena PANZICA

15 FEB 1919 - 14 JUL 2011

• BIRTH: 15 FEB 1919, Vincennes, Indiana
• BURIAL: Highland Cemetery
• DEATH: 14 JUL 2011, South Bend, Indiana

INDEX

[N3502] Lena Panzica
Feb. 15, 1919 - July 14, 2011
SOUTH BEND - Antonina "Lena" Panzica, 92, residing in South Bend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Lena was born February 15, 1919, in Vincennes, Indiana, to Charles & Margaret (Dattilo) Panzica, and had lived most of her life in South Bend. Lena was the oldest, and due to her mother being a semi-invalid helped raise her four younger siblings. She is survived by her sister, Rose (Joseph) Cira; and her two brothers, Joseph (Sandra, deceased), both of South Bend, Anthony (Irene) Panzica of Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame; and her brother-in-law, Chuck Ryon of Bremen. Lena has sixteen nieces and nephews, 30 great-nieces and nephews, and four great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Ann Ryon. Lena was a surrogate mother to her siblings, nieces and nephews. She loved babies and children, and enjoyed being a part of their lives. Lena enjoyed cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her large Italian family. In her later years, she enjoyed working at L.S. Ayres and socializing with customers and employees. Lena was a member of St. Matthew's Cathedral for more than 40 years. She was a devoted daughter to her father, who lived to be 100 years old. Lena's favorite times were spent with all of her family and her numerous relations. She was one of the most sweet, generous, and caring people that you would ever meet. Lena's last years were spent bravely battling dementia. She will be missed dearly by everyone. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 20th, in the Cathedral of St. Matthew. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her parents. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Lena Panzica may be made to the Bishop Crowley Fund, St. Matthew's Cathedral, 1701 South Miami St., South Bend, IN 46613. Online condolences to the Panzica family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on July 18, 2011