Submitted by: Dan Rich

Lena Margaret Perry

Jan. 5, 1924 - Oct. 4, 2003

South Bend Tribune 10/7/2003

Lena Margaret Perry, 79, of David Street, South Bend, Ind., died following a short illness at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. She was born Jan. 5, 1924, in South Bend, to the late Louis and Mary (Tirrota) Rodino, and was a lifetime area resident.

On April 12, 1958, in South Bend, she married Edward J. Perry, who survives. She is also survived by a daughter, Ann M. (Richard) Dietl of South Bend; a son, Donald E. (Diane) Perry of Baltimore, Md.; four grandchildren, Richard Dietl Jr., Jennifer Dietl, Edward Perry and Christopher Perry; four sisters, Rose Rodino, Theresa (Frank) Manijak, Josephine Brekrus and Betty (John) Marroni, all of South Bend; and two brothers, Rocco Rodino of Kokomo, Ind., and Louis Rodino of Lakeville, Ind. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Julia Kambol and Catherine Agostino Palitin; and by a brother, Frank Rodino.

Lena's family meant the world to her, especially her grandchildren, and to many children she was like a second mom. She loved to bake cookies, and spent many hours taking care of her flowers and tending her garden. She was also very accomplished at embroidery and making beautiful quilts. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 State Road 933, South Bend, with Rev. Ronald Tripi, CSC, officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 7, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.