Bartolena Marie Galleta

GALLETTA, Bartolena "Lena" Bartolena "Lena" Galletta of Dallas, Texas, passed away, at the age of 99, on January 29, 2015 surrounded by family in her home. She was born on November 13, 1915 in Cortland, New York to Gaetano and Grace (Favalora) Galletta. Lena grew up in Cortland, NY and graduated at the top of her class from Cortland Normal High School. It was in her home town that she met the love of her life, Leo Galletta. They later settled in Queens, NY where Leo started a successful home building career and their two sons, Leo, Jr. and Joseph were born. Lena's infectious smile was her trademark that she gave away easily and with delight. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and bowling but was best known for her passion for cooking and entertaining. Lena mastered both with skill and enthusiasm that would have impressed a celebrity chef at a five-star restaurant. The moment you entered her home, the feast would begin. The refrigerator opened, the stove fired up and Lena danced around the kitchen serving up her best. Remarkably, she did this wearing high-heel shoes well into her seventies. Only after a fall and a broken hip in her eighties did she concede that athletic shoes might be a good idea. The moment Lena entered into paradise, the Heavenly kitchen had a shake up and she is preparing lasagna that will make the angels sing. Lena was devoted to God, her Catholic faith, her church, and beloved family. God, family and friends were the priorities in her life. Special thanks are extended to Clarisa Jones, her caregiver, who has been a blessing to our family and to Lena. Clarisa cared for her with exceptional compassion and dedication. Lena is survived by her son, Leo Galletta and wife, Madalene; grandchildren, Leo Ward Galletta and wife, Jessica, Kaylee Johnston and husband, Darren, Mandy Dooley and husband, Kasey; great grandchildren, Jackson, Jace, Jami, Jagger, and Tommie; nephew John Tucci and wife, Bethany, and other loving family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gaetano and Grace Cincotta; husband Leo Galletta; son, Joseph Galletta; brother Angelo Cincotta and sisters Mary Tucci and Elizabeth Kling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 9643 Ferndale Road, Dallas, TX 75238. The Mass will be preceded by the recitation of the Rosary beginning at 10:00 A.M. Entombment will follow Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society in care of St. Patrick Catholic Church. -