Lela Polichino

Our dear mother, Lela, went into the arms of our Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at the age of 96.

Lela was born on April 30, 1924 in Slidell, Texas which is in Wise County. Her mother was Vallie Elizabeth Hall and her father was Allen Austin Pruett. Lela was the last surviving grandchild of Nathaniel (Nate) and Sallie Elizabeth Cogburn Pruett of Slidell, Texas. Lela was very proud of her Texas heritage.

Lela was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Joseph Polichino Sr., her parents, her brothers Roy and Audrey Pruett, her nephews Richard, Ronnie, and Johnie Dale Pruett, and her in-laws Vincenzo and Vincenza Polichino.

Lela is survived by her six children Sam Polichino Jr. and his wife Rhonda, Elizabeth Crowell and her husband Max, Virginia Addington and her husband Don, Valerie Polichino, Kay Durrett and her husband David, Louis Polichino and his wife Diana. At this time, Lela is survived by 14 grandkids, 22 great grandkids, and one great grandchild is on the way. Lela is survived by her God-daughters, Sister Pauline Troncale, and Laurie Hamilton McMurrey. She is also survived by her nephew, Gerald Pruett and many cousins.

Lela grew up in the Great Depression. Her parents worked on a variety of dairy and farm projects in the North Texas area. Her family always had a vegetable garden, chickens for eggs, and one old milk cow. Lela’s clothes were made from her cousins old things. Her mother was an excellent seamstress and made all of her clothes until she was 20 years old. Lela says, “Looking back, I believe those lean years had a big influence on my outlook on life and my beliefs.

Lela attended Sanger High School where she played softball, volleyball, and she loved to roller skate. After her junior year in May, her family moved to Celina, Texas where she graduated from High School in 1942. At her new school she was the football sweet heart and senior class beauty. After graduation her family moved to Houston, Texas. Her first job was at the Federal Reserve Bank, the Houston Branch. Over the years, Lela kept up with many of her banking friends.

In October of 1945, Lela met Sam Polichino Sr., under the big crab at Guido’s restaurant in Galveston. She asked her mother if she could ride home with Sam and Little Mike Troncale, and her Mom said, “NO,” but they can follow us home. Before you know it, Sam asked her out on a real date to the Balinese Room, the jewel of Galveston’s Golden Era. Lela was dressed in her best mid-calf dining dress, and her beautiful baby blue eyes, and dimples made Sam’s heart melt. They were escorted by Uncle Joe and Aunt Babe Polichino, as well as Uncle Vincent and Aunt Margie Polichino. A romance began that only true love can bring. Sam and Lela married on October 19, 1947 at Sacred Heart Co-cathedral in Houston followed by a luncheon at the Ship Ahoy restaurant and a reception at the home of Joe and Babe Polichino.

In 1951, Sam and Lela bought their first home on Hidalgo Street in the Lamar Terrace subdivision. They used Dad’s military benefits to get a VA loan. Their down payment was $99.00 and their house payment was $90.00 per month. In August of 1969, they moved to their family home on Shady River, in the Walnut Bend subdivision. Together they maintained a meticulous yard. In the spring time a beautiful hedge of azaleas lined the front of their home. They loved hosting many family events, especially at Easter. Dad enjoyed barbecuing. Lela was a wonderful cook and together they made a great team.

After selling their Shady River home, they lived in an apartment on Memorial Drive for four years. In 1988, Lela and Sam celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and they took the trip of their dreams to Italy and Sicily. In 1990, they bought a retirement townhouse at the London Towne Homes on Barryknoll Drive. In October of 1997, Lela and Sam celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary at Ashford Oaks Event Center.

After the sale of her London Towne home in 2014, Lela lived with Kay and David Durrett for about two years. She was very happy to have the opportunity to live with family. In 2017, Lela moved to Village on the Park at Steeplechase, room 307. Lela loved reminiscing with the ladies and playing Bingo with her new friends.

Lela was a previous member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church (17 years), St. Cyril’s Catholic Church (16 years), St. John Vianney Catholic Church (27 years), and most recently a member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Cypress, Texas. Lela was a devout parishioner, attended Mass weekly, and took great joy in receiving Holy Communion. She was a 43 year member of the Catholic Daughters of Americas, where she served as their historian. She was a member of the Charity Guild of St. Joseph and the St. John Vianney Women’s Club.

Lela was very proud to be a member of the National Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a Girl Scout leader for all of her daughters and a volunteer for the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council. Lela was a member of the Evergreen Garden Club for 18 years and was awarded several Blue ribbons for her flower arrangements at the International Flower Show. Lela had an excellent eye for design and decorating. She was a neighborhood organizer for the Mother’s March on Polio, the American Heart Association, and for Multiple Sclerosis.

Lela was involved in her children’s school activities. She was a PTA member, home room mother, and attended many sporting events. When her youngest child was in the fifth grade she began working at Foley’s Department store in Memorial City Mall. Lela excelled in the Men’s Shirts and Ties Department where she became a “million dollar” sales woman. Her customers and co-workers were drawn towards her out-going personality. She loved sharing her delicious banana nut bread with all of the staff.

Towards the end of her life Lela moved to Cypress Residential Assisted Living. Our family is very grateful for the nurses and caregivers that took care of her the last months of her life. Lela persevered to the very end.

In October of 2002, Lela wrote, “It is my final wish that there always be love and absolute peace in our family!” Her husband of almost 55 years had been in and out of the hospital many times. Our Dad had passed on August 29, 2002. When Lela wrote this she was looking ahead and looking out for her children. “You all must know how much you mean to me and I love each of you.” Lela loved her family deeply.

Lela will be remembered as a loving and loyal wife, a dedicated mother, a fun-loving grandmother, a sweet great grandmother, and a wonderful aunt to her nieces and nephews. Lela’s friends would call her generous and kind-hearted. Lela Ray Pruett Polichino was strong in her faith and a faithful servant.

Lela’s Favorite Saying, "Do everything with love!"