Lena D Sbrogna

Lena D. (Catacchio) Sbrogna of Worcester passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015 with her loved ones by her side. Her 100th birthday was celebrated this past July 10, 2015. Lena was born in Worcester, a daughter of Italian immigrants, Thomas and Antoinette (Guerra) Catacchio. She grew up off Shrewsbury Street a member of a large family with seven children. She graduated from Worcester Girls Trade with a certification in Cosmetology. In 1935, towards the end of the depression, Lena met and married Domenic Sbrogna in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Together they settled in the Hamilton Street neighborhood to raise their family with the ideals of love, devotion and family for the next 63 years until Domenic passed away in 1998. In the early 1950's Lena established her hair salon on Shrewsbury Street. She continued hairdressing until 1985 when she retired. She also worked with her sister-in-law Ann Sbrogna in the Sbrogna Driving School being the first women to be driving instructors. Together they taught hundreds of children to drive. After retiring, you could find Lena behind the counter of the Donut Cafe helping out her son Robert with the business. Many conversations and memories will live on forever. Lena was all about family and in keeping with heritage. She held close the traditions of holidays, special occasions and families being together. She loved to cook and cherished having her family around her especially her grandchildren. These special moments are those that will be missed. Lena and Domenic loved to travel to such places as Italy, Hawaii and points around the country. Lena is survived by the family she cherished. Her daughter, Shirley Guitarini and her husband Anthony of Worcester; her son, Robert "Bob" Sbrogna and his wife Lois of Holden; brothers, Nicholas and Vincent "James" Catacchio of Florida; her grandchildren, Elaine Guitarini Heller and her husband Mark of Worcester, Mark Guitarini of San Diego, CA, Michael Sbrogna and his wife Kim of Bellingham and Cameron, Kimberly Sbrogna Michalowski and her husband Christopher of Holden, Jeffrey Sbrogna of Holden. Four great grandchildren, Ryan, Dylan, Lauren and Baby Lena. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Besides her husband Domenic, Lena was predeceased by three brothers, Gino, Peter and Victor Catacchio and her sister Mary Germaine. Friends and relatives are invited to gather with the family on Friday, September 25 from 9:30 am - 11:00 am for calling hours at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St., Worcester, MA. Her Celebration of Life Mass will follow at 11:00 am. Burial next to her husband will follow in St. John's Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, please remember Lena with a donation to the building fund of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. is honored to assist the family with arrangements. The Sbrogna family would like to thank Dr. McGinnis and the staff of the Christopher House for the wonderful care given Lena while her time spent there. And a big thank you to her granddaughter Kimberly who was always there for her. The excellent care and compassion they gave was comforting to the family.