Lena Rose Landreth

Lena Rose Landreth passed away peacefully on January 21, 2017 in Nacogdoches, TX at the age of 97. She was born February 28, 1919 in Waukegan, Ill to James and Ida Buttitta. Lena was the fourth child and first girl out of seven children. Her family opened a shoe business and repair shop on the University of Illinois Campus, which was opened for 100 years. She attended and graduated from Champaign High School and Illinois Commercial College of Business. In 1941 she married Doyal Landreth and they were married 59 years. During their marriage they moved several times before settling in Wichita Falls, TX where she was active in Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Four Seasons Flower Arranging Group and Garden Club of the Women’s Forum.

Lena was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was an avid gardener and took pride in her floral gardens and won many blue ribbons for floral arrangements. She loved collecting recipes, cooking, needlework, playing canasta and bingo, and spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. After Doyle’s retirement from the Federal Government they traveled to all 50 states of the United States and spent six months traveling throughout Europe including a visit to her parent’s homeland, Sicily. They retired to Tyler, TX and lived there for more than twenty years before relocating to Nacogdoches, TX. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches, TX.

Lena was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Doyal; sister, Anna Buttitta; brothers, Dominick Buttitta, Joseph Buttitta and James Buttitta; and great grandson, John Harkness.

She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Harkness and husband James of Nacogdoches, TX, Charlotte Swanson and husband Carl of Conroe, TX; grandchildren, Chris Harkness, Sr. and Lori of Nacogdoches, Julie Gardner and husband, Richard of Nacogdoches, James Swanson and wife, Kami of La Plata, MD, Thomas Swanson and wife, Wendy of Spring, TX, Drs. Jeffrey Swanson and wife, Olga of Wichita Falls, TX, Timothy Swanson and wife, Judi of Montgomery, TX, John Swanson and wife, Christine of Pasadena, CA, Paul Swanson and wife, Brandy of Playa Vista, CA, Brenda Berry and husband, Jamie of Montgomery, TX , Tracy Perez and husband, Nick of Conroe, TX; 27 great grandchildren, Chris, Jr, Jason, Hannah and Hallee Harkness, Aubrey Fuller, Kylee and Gavin Gardner, Joshua Swanson, Kirsten and Lauren Swanson, Emily, Ally and Ella Swanson, Chance, Katelyn and Kylie Smith, Elizabeth and Victor Swanson, Victoria Lucien and Ethan Swanson, Elena, Marcus, Chloe and Olivia Berry, Andrew, Nina and Gabrielle Perez; two sisters, Anna Marie Conlin and Ida D’ Urso of Urbana, Ill; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family burial, rosary and memorial mass was held January 28, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Nacogdoches, TX.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Dr. Randall Vinther and his staff, Mary Jo Lees and the caregivers at the Arbor and Hospice of East Texas staff who so lovingly gave of themselves to attend to Lena through the years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart’s Building Fund, 2508 Appleby Sand Road, Nacogdoches, TX 75965.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.casonmonkmetcalf.com