Obituary of Lena DeSantes

Lena M. DeSantes, 91, of Cortlandt Manor, NY, entered into eternal rest on November 14, 2018, in Rancho Mirage, CA. Lena was a devoted mother and grandmother not only to her own family, but to all of those around her. She loved nothing more than to feed and nurture everyone in her midst.  She had a dry sense of humor and the kind of zest for life that pulled others along with her.

Born in the Bronx to Mary and Joseph Rincione on December 26, 1926, Lena married Anthony J. DeSantes on February 18, 1950. In 1967, the family moved from the Bronx to Cortlandt Manor. Lena and Anthony were among the founding members of the Quarry Acres Homeowners Association of which she was Social Secretary for several decades. Lena worked at Walter Panas High School from 1972 until 2014. Nicknamed Hawkeye, Sarge, Kojak, and Tenefly during her time as a monitor, she was simply known as Grandma during her later years as an aide in the nurse’s office. In November 2007, Lena was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in recognition of her “time, energy and commitment to enhancing the quality of life of those around her.”

Lena is survived by her daughters Maria (Mark) Angelini of Peekskill, NY; Roseanne (William McLarnon) DeSantes of Egg Harbor Township, NJ; and Joan (Mark) Goldman, of Cathedral City, CA; her daughter-in-law Cenus DeSantes; and her grandchildren Anthony (Crystal Ellis) DeSantes, William DeSantes, Crystal DeSantes, Matthew (Erin) Angelini, Amy (Erik Peloquin) Angelini, Lisa (Ben) Coglitore, Michael (Andee) Goldman, Eric (Karina Mondragon) Goldman, and William McLarnon Jr. She is preceded in death by her son Patrick DeSantes, her husband Anthony DeSantes, two sisters, and a brother.

Visitation will be held at Nardone Funeral Home in Peekskill on December 4th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Cortlandt Manor on December 5 at 10:00am.

Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Cortlandt Manor.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the "Lena M. DeSantes" Walter Panas scholarship fund. Checks should be made payable to Lakeland Central School District and on the memo line indicate "Lena M. DeSantes Scholarship". Checks should be mailed to: Walter Panas High School, 300 Croton Avenue, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567, Attn: Kathy Zadra