Lena (Donata) Duchesneau passed away peacefully on July 19, 2018 at the South Portland Nursing Home. Lena was born 13 January 1925, the first child of Gregory and Filomena St. Angelo. After graduating from Portland High School in 1943, she worked as a bookkeeper at Rines Brother’s and McLellan’s Department Stores in Portland. In 1958 she met and married Howard E. Duchesneau.
In her younger days Lena enjoyed dancing, music and going out with friends. After marriage Lena was content to be a homemaker, avid flower gardener, and especially enjoyed cooking and baking for family get togethers, with the holidays being her favorite time of year. Her pizzelles were renown amongst family and friends. Lena was very family orientated and loved doting on her grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, watching her beloved Red Sox, and listening to her police scanner often knowing the headlines prior to the morning news. She loved watching the local news/weather with Charlie Lopresti being her favorite beloved weatherman of all time. Lena was a regular contributor to animal rights groups and veterans organizations.
Lena was predeceased by her husband Howard, son Paul, and her daughter Christina. She is survived by her son Peter of Greenfield, and her stepsons William of Bradenton, Florida and Edmund (Suzanne) of Brunswick. She is also survived by her siblings Gregory St. Angelo (Norma) of Portland, Elena Emery of Portland, and Marie Ifill of Bath, eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation on Tuesday, July 24th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Jones, Rich, and Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford Street Portland, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 10:00AM in St. Peter Roman Catholic Church 72 Federal Street Portland, Maine. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, Maine. On-line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to any animal rescue organization or to support veterans groups.
