LENA (FAILONI) DeSANTIS

Lena (Failoni) DeSantis, of Solvay, passed away on October 12, 2023, much sooner than her family finds comfort in. Lena was predeceased by her parents Peter and Ottavia (Salvaterra) Failoni, and her sisters, Rose Failoni and Mary Palumbo. She is survived by her children; son, Peter (Kim), and daughter, Terry DeSantis; her beloved grandchildren, Jennifer (Ray) Senf, Kari (Marty) Donegan, and Stacey DeSantis, and great grandchildren Ryan, Corey, and Kyle Senf, and Kendall and Levi Donegan, and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and friends. Lena grew up in Solvay and always wanted to stay close to her roots, as it gave her comfort. She enjoyed gathering her family and friends at the Tyrol Club for the polenta dinners, to feel connected to her heritage. She carried on the tradition of making many of her mother’s recipes, including gnocchi, polenta, cannederli, and capuns (also known as Austrian revenge). We all enjoyed these dishes, and think it made her feel a special connection to her Mom when she replicated them. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed playing games and doing puzzles (not her strong point!), and she played a mean game of pitch at the Camillus Senior Center. Mom worked at The Post Standard in her younger days, then at Fred’s Sport Motors for over 30 years. She got her motorcycle license and ventured out sometimes on the open road. Kudos to you Mom! Lena LOVED writing letters and receiving letters. She always said, “I should have been a writer.” Her penmanship was impeccable. If you were fortunate enough to be on Mom’s mailing list, your letters were probably filled with sayings and uplifting antidotes, or words of wisdom, or things that she thought would make you laugh. Her love of travel took her to many places, including Japan, Hawaii, Disney, and many countries in Europe, and most especially her beloved Italy. She enjoyed many cruises with her daughter and granddaughters to the Caribbean. She always said she could have a bag packed on a dime, and was always ready for the next adventure. Mom/Gram loved going to the casino and playing the slots. Pennies were her favorite, dimes were her max…no big wins, but she enjoyed it. She was obsessed with going to grocery stores, sometimes 3 times a week. She loved buying food and always bought more than she could eat. We always received care packages, especially when it was BOGO. Speaking of food, she loved a good clambake and usually took some extra clams home with her in her purse. Many a shopping adventures were had in Marshall’s. If you lost her in the store, look no further than the clearance aisle. She always had a positive outlook on life and a sunny disposition, regardless of what life threw at her, and the circumstances she was dealt. If you were fortunate enough to be in Mom’s circle, you were blessed. All dogs gravitated to her; we think they sensed how special she really was. Mom spent years writing journals for her children and grandchildren with memories of times together and sharing remembrances of her past memories and her daily thoughts now. She even wrote in the journal on her last day with us. Having all her loved ones know how much she loved them was her #1 priority in life. Her everlasting wish for us was to enjoy life and be good to one another and love one other. And to that, we toast the legacy of love you left all of us. We will forever miss you and our lives will never be the same without you. Family and friends may call from Noon to 3:00 PM Saturday October 21, 2023 with services immediately following at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Ave, Solvay, NY. Please share online memories and tributes at www.bagozzitwins.com.

LENA (FAILONI) DeSANTIS

November 25, 1935 - October 12, 2023