Lena (Pino) DeCarlo, 99, a former, long-time Springfield resident, passed peacefully into eternal life at home on October 22, 2022, comforted by her dear friend Joanne Porfilio. Born February 23, 1923, and raised in her beloved South End of Springfield, she was the daughter of the late Carmino and Jennie (Marinello) Pino.
Lena later settled in Longmeadow after marrying the love of her life, Robert G. DeCarlo, in 1984. They spent 16 wonderful years together, traveling frequently, before his passing in 2000.
Lena was a floral designer for 46 years, beginning in 1937 at Tazzini Flowers, and retiring in 1983 from Lee’s Flowers. Her favorite saying, "Que Sera, Sera!"
A life-long communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, she was a member of its Women’s Guild; as well as president of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, a member of the Christian Mothers Society, Rosary Society, St. Ann’s Society, Italian Cultural Center, Longmeadow Over 60 Club, and Twin Hills Country Club.
She looked forward to seeing her friends of many years every Friday at Joanne’s hair salon, and watching Sunday Mass on Chalice of Salvation.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Rose Tazzini & husband George, Sr. and Mildred Lopardo & husband Alfonse, brothers, Michael & wife Dora, and Robert, and niece, Linda Lopardo-Gallagher.
Lena leaves her nephews, George B. Tazzini, Jr., Thomas Lopardo & wife Carol, David Pino & wife Sharon, and Stephen Pino, niece, Barbara Pino, nephew-in-law, Martyn Gallagher, sister-in-law, Helen Pino, and will be missed dearly by her grandnieces & nephews, Christine Tazzini, Marisa Tazzini-Almeda & husband Scott, George B. Tazzini, III, Gina O’Connor, Julie Cantella & husband Michael, Kenneth Lopardo & wife Carol, great-grandnieces & nephews, Avery, Kendra, Bryan, Benjamin, Jacob, Sophia, Gray, Tessa, Alina & Michael, great-great-grandnephew, Abraham, very special friends Joseph, Dawn & Mia Pasternak, plus numerous friends & extended family.
A very special thank you to Dr. Darren O'Neill, Jennifer Kennedy, Gina Pérez, Catherine Peña, and the rest of Lena's caretakers for the love, care & kind attention to Lena over the last several years.
Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, October 26 from 2-4 p.m. at Tazzini Funeral Home, 22 Locust Street in Springfield. Lena’s funeral services will begin Thursday, 9 a.m. at Tazzini Funeral Home, proceeding to her 10 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial at Mt. Carmel Church with burial to follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Italian Cultural Center, 56 Margaret St., Springfield, MA 01105.
Please visit www. TazziniFuneralHome.com for condolences.
Dear George, Christine, and Family-
Please accept my condolences for the passing of your Aunt Lena.
I will fondly remember meeting her and seeing her at local events especially with Christine.
My thoughts are with all of you as you remember her life.
May she Rest in Peace.
With love and heartfelt sympathy,
Vinny Penna