Lena Mary Dasso

It’s difficult to sum up someone’s well lived life in a few words. Lena Mary Giannini certainly lived her life well and never wasted a day of her 95 years. She was born in Oakland, California on June 12, 1923. Her parents had immigrated from Italy with older brother, Pete. After arriving and settling in America Lena, John, and Angie were born. Her parents later moved to Stockton and Lena and her siblings were educated here. Lena met her husband, Leonard Sinigaglia, when he was detained in Lathrop as an Italian prisoner of war. Leonard was from the same area in Italy as Lena’s parents. Italian prisoners were allowed to leave the camp on Sunday’s to visit local families. Romance grew over the Sunday dinner table and Lena and Leonard became engaged. At wars end he was sent back to Italy. Lena later traveled to New York, boarded a liberty ship and traveled to Genoa where they were married. Soon the newly married couple returned to the United States and made their home in Stockton. Leonard and Lena raised to two sons, Jim and Silvio here. Both boys were married in 1973, Silvio to Allison and Jim to Jackie. They have made their homes in the Stockton area as well. Lena was a career woman and had several occupations. Through perseverance and dedication to her job she became the office manager at Gaylord’s, a library supply warehouse on Alpine Avenue. Leonard passed away in 1986 after an illness. Lena later met and was married to Andrew Dasso in 1993 until his passing in 2002. Lena was a nurturing grandmother to her four grandchildren, Jeff, Nick, Greg, and Jillian. Lately she enjoyed time with each of her great grandchildren, Luca, Dexter, Cary, Nico, Max, Opal, Jack, Vince, and Ollie. She spoiled them all with her famous “Nonnie Soup” which was often the only food that they would eat when they were very young. This was much to her delight. She was loving and caring woman who worried about the well being and safety of everyone she knew. She was cared for as well by nearly daily visits from her sons, weekly lunch and shopping outings with her niece, Rosie, and watched over by her neighbors and friends. She enjoyed a 40 year relationship with her hairdresser and friend and rarely missed a Thursday morning appointment. Her hands were never quiet, besides maintaining her own home, Lena was an avid reader and puzzle solver in her later years. Her favorite books were the biographies and autobiographies. She was an extraordinary cook, learning in her mother’s kitchen when she was just a girl. She could effortlessly prepare delicious meals in the kitchen of her home and never from a written recipe. She enjoyed watching the cooking channel and would often try out and share new ideas she’d learn. Lena treated her family, some years all 25 of us, to a delicious cioppino dinner of Christmas Eve, everyone looked forward to the meal all year long. Lena died peacefully in her home on January 17, 2019. Her son Silvio was with her in a matter of minutes. She devoted herself to her family and their well being and is greatly missed by all who knew her. Please contact the family for information regarding services.