Lena Ida Defreese died at her home on June 24, 2004.
Lena Ida Defreese died at her home on June 24, 2004.
Lena was born in Salinas on Oct. 11, 1910. She would have been 94. Her early childhood was spent in Felton and in 1919 she and her family moved to Gilroy where she attended local schools and worked for Filice and Perelli Cannery. In 1930 she married Charles Defreese and moved to San Luis Obisbo County where Charles worked for Southern Pacific Railroad until his retirement. At that time they moved back to Gilroy where Lena was a caretaker for her mother Zaira Maraccini until her death at the age of 102.
Lena is survived by her sister Mamie Sgheiza; niece Anita Sciutto (George); grandnieces and grandnephews Elizabeth Robinson (Rich), Dustin, Nicholas, Jennifer Freese (Alan), Amanda, Shelby, Jack and Darrell Sciutto; and relatives of her late husband Charles.
Mrs. Defreese will be buried with her husband at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park. At the request of Lena a private service will be held.
