Pasqualina "Lena" A. (Bionelli) Cortese

Pasqualina ("Lena") A. (Bionelli) Cortese, of Stoneham, formerly of the North End of Boston, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022 at her home with her family by her side. She died just one month before her 91st birthday. Born in Boston, Lena was the daughter of the late Frank J. and Libertina (Ruggiero) Bionelli. A loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Lena will be missed by all who knew her.

Throughout her life, Lena's kitchen table was a welcoming place for conversation, a cup of coffee or tea, and always something to eat that appealed to all appetites. She loved to entertain, loved to set a table for company, and loved the joy of breaking bread and catching up with friends and family. There was no subject that bored her, and no topic she would not engage. As an apartment dweller, in the North End and in Stoneham, she was the resident you knew, trusted and relied on. All family and friends were most grateful for her thoughtful gifts, cards, and home cooked favorites— once you were on her radar she never forgot what made you smile. She loved the simple things in life— a long weekend away in one of her beloved New England towns, a glass of prosecco and some Wellfleet oysters, visits by her children and grandchildren, or dinner or lunch at a local restaurant with friends. She knew what mattered.

Lena is the beloved wife of the late Frank C. Cortese, and devoted mother of Frank A. Cortese and his wife Daphne, Lisa Bevilaqua and her late husband Jerry Fensterman, and Lianne Stoddard and her husband Paul. She is the cherished grandmother of Gryffin and Chloe Stoddard, the dear sister of the late Jean Serrecchia and Frances Petrucelli, and admired aunt of many wonderful nieces and nephews.

At the request of the family all services will be private.

Please consider donations in memory of Lena to Care Dimensions Hospice (www.caredimensions.org).