Shrewsbury – Leona (Terlizzi) Lapomardo, 93, passed away on January 5, 2022 from complications of Covid-19.
She was born in Worcester and moved to Shrewsbury in 1961. She enjoyed spending many summers with her children and grandchildren at the family beach house in Green Harbor, MA. Leona was loved as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and “Nana” to many. In return, she brought love and happiness to all.
Leona was born in 1928 in Worcester to Michael and Maria C. (Zamarro) Terlizzi. She was married in 1948 to Michael G. Lapomardo who pre-deceased her in 1996. She was also pre-deceased by five brothers, Pantaleo, Michael A., Alberto, Silvio, Mario, and five sisters, Mary (Forget), Francesca (Rutigliano), Anna (Leone), Clara (Guertin) and Rose (Rutigliano).
Leona was the matriarch of a large family. As a traditional Italian homemaker, she always had the Sunday “gravy” ready. No one left her table hungry. She could crochet a baby blanket, share advice and play UNO with the kids, all at the same time. She and her husband Mike loved traveling to Bermuda, Aruba and later in life spent many winters in Delray Beach, Florida. She was always up for a trip to Foxwoods or Las Vegas and loved to play the Wheel of Fortune slots.
Her home and family were the center of her universe. Preparations for Christmas Eve started the day after Thanksgiving when she and the “Italian Cookie Mafia” would meet in the kitchen and lovingly bake piles of Italian cookies non-stop. This crew was on guard, armed with wooden spoons, and God help anyone who tried to sneak a cookie before Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, the house was overflowing with family. She believed no one should be alone on Christmas Eve and everybody was welcome including those she lovingly referred to as “orphans”. Everyone looked forward to her manicotti and meatballs, and no matter how many people showed up, there was plenty of food for twenty more.
She will be dearly missed by her five children, Leonora (Lee) Ryan and her husband Robert of Shrewsbury, Michael Jr and his wife Patricia (Lagerstrom) of Shrewsbury, Mark Lapomardo of Worcester and his companion Wendy, Clara Sheehan and her husband Michael of Shrewsbury, James Lapomardo of Shrewsbury and daughters-in-law Nancy Lapomardo of Charlton and Elaine Lapomardo of Plymouth.
She was a loving “Nana” to twelve grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan) Daniels and her husband Adam, Jessica Ryan and her husband Jesse, Lori (Lapomardo) Caputo and her husband Steve, Anthony Lapomardo and his wife Carley (Santella), Andrew Lapomardo, Daniel Lapomardo and his wife Brittany (Clifford), Peter Lapomardo, Patrick Sheehan, Dr. Ryan Sheehan, Mikayla Sheehan, Haley (Charley) Lapomardo, and Emily Lapomardo.
She was blessed to have six great-grandsons, Christopher, Logan, Troy, Dominic, Eddie and Phil, and three great-granddaughters, Kaylana, Marion, and Gianna Leona.
Leona was a long-time active member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Notre Dame Healthcare for taking care of Leona for the last few months. We would also like to thank the 3-ICU Lakeside staff of UMASS Medical Center for their compassionate care during this difficult time. Flowers may be accepted or donations can be made to the Notre Dame Activity Fund.
Calling hours for Leona will be held Monday, January 10th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street. Her funeral will be held Tuesday, January 11th from the funeral home with a procession to St Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd Shrewsbury where her celebration of Christian burial mass will be held at 10:00 am. Burial next to her husband Michael will follow in Mt View Cemetery.
Flowers may be sent or memorial remembrances made to the Notre Dame Health Care Resident Activity Fund, 559 Plantation St. Worcester 01605. www.mercadantefuneralhome.com.
Live streaming is available by going to www.mercadantefuneral.com/live services beginning at 9:30 am, Tuesday.
