Maria Lena Gallo

Maria Lena was born on January 12, 1945 in San Jose, California to Celeste and Bellalba Trione. Growing up in San Jose, California, she attended Notre Dame High School in San Jose and the College of Notre Dame in Belmont. While finishing college, Maria married Joseph P. Gallo on August 7, 1965. After Maria finished college, they moved into a newly built Cupertino home and raised their family.

Maria was passionate about education and volunteering in the community. After a decade plus of focusing on her children and their school and club activities, she migrated to training pre-school children for twenty-years at De Anza Community College where she was known for her dedication to the students and the program. In tandem she was a Faith Formation catechist for over thirty years at St. Joseph’s of Cupertino and St. Simon’s of Los Altos. In the community, she donated her time volunteering mostly at Regnart Elementary (PTA), Kennedy Jr. High (PTA), Bellarmine College Preparatory, and St. Francis High School.

Maria loved learning, traveling with Joseph both by camping in their trailers on the coast, on their many cruises, and attending soccer and basketball events at Santa Clara University. A model of her generation, she loved sewing, cooking, and supporting her family's activities. She seemed happiest when coated with flour making ravioli with her grandchildren, sharing her renown cucidati at Christmas, or hosting dinner for her children and their friends.

In the community, she thrived with her close group of neighborhood friends, 6:30am mass at St. Simon’s, and being a 50-year member of YLI Maureen Institute #136. Along with her family, she spent her last days in hospice with fantastic teams from Suncrest Hospice and caregivers from Senior Helpers.

Maria Lena is survived by her husband Joseph Gallo; her four children and their spouses, Anthony Gallo (Sherie), Robert Gallo (Lisa), Kathleen Picchi (Allen), Richard Gallo (Kristie); her nine grandchildren Anthony, Giuseppe, Kiara, Michaela, Ellalena, Sydney, Sienna, Maya, Dante; and her brother and sister-in-law, Joseph Trione (Annemarie). Maria was preceded by her brother Thomas Trione.

A rosary will be held at Lima Family Mortuary (466 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA) on August 28 at 7:00 p.m. A memorial mass will be held at St. Simon’s Church (1860 Grant Road, Los Altos,CA) on August 29 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Notre Dame High School San Jose or Cancer Research Fund, Stanford University in her memory.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.