Lena Cappello, 94, Dallas, Texas, passed away in Dallas on June 20, 2019. Lena’s maiden name was La Barba and was originally from Kansas City, MO. She moved to Dallas when she was 15 with her parents and three siblings, Ann, Sam, and Josephine, in 1939. A student of Crozier Tech High School, she later became an expert seamstress at Nardis of Dallas and a union steward of the International Ladies Garment Union. Lena married Salvatore Cappello after World War II at the formerly known Lee Park in Dallas in 1947. Together they owned several businesses, including grocery stores, an Italian restaurant, sausage factory, and a wholesale outlet store. Sal Cappello died in 1992.
Lena and her husband pioneered the development of several innovations in the food industry in the Dallas area. These included an inside deli for convenience stores and po’boy sandwiches in the 1960’s. The main contribution they made was the mainstream introduction of Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern Foods to the retail market.
Lena loved doing her crossword puzzles and rarely missed a day not doing one of them. She loved her dog, Andy, who was her companion for many years in her home. Lena was known for her cooking skills in Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern cuisines. She was a huge Dallas Cowboy Fan.
She is survived by her two sons, Tom and John Cappello and his wife, Natalie. Her grandchildren include John, his wife, Rebecca and children, Elizabeth, Colleen and baby Ann anytime now. Her granddaughters, Jenny Atkins and her daughter, Ellie, Antonina and her husband Justin, Betsy and Greg Smith and son, Max, and Alyse.
A rosary will be on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at 5:00 PM at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home located at 7405 W Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas, 75225. A funeral Mass will be held at Cavalry Hill Mausoleum located at 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas 75220 at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 24, 2019.
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