Jennie Lancia, 97

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Jennie Natalina Masdea Lancia, 97, of Berkshire Town Apartments passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Berkshire Medical Center.

Born on December 23, 1919 in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Antoinetta Ronco Masdea. A lifelong Pittsfield resident, she was educated in Pittsfield schools. She married her husband, the late Harry A. Lancia on June 26, 1943, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He died on February 18, 1995.

Mrs. Lancia was employed as the restaurant manager at the former Big N Department Store for many years. She also worked at the former Glix Brant Pajama Factory and Stratton Coat Company. She was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She did hundreds of hours of volunteer work for the Pittsfield Senior Center, Elder Services, RSVP, American Red Cross, United Way, Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau and the Berkshire Museum.

She enjoyed crocheting afghans, traveling to California, reading, word puzzles, music, dancing and attending live theater. She also enjoyed cooking for family holidays and gatherings and was known for her wonderful Italian cookies.

She leaves two daughters, Dolores A. Lancia-Ketner of Orange County, Calif., and Nancy Lancia Martin Thompson and her husband Charles of Lenox; two grandsons, Jason Martin and his wife Rebecca of Pittsfield and Matthew Martin and his wife Meaghan of Otis; and a great-grandson, Harrison Charles Martin.

She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Fred L. Ketner; her three sisters, Jenuana Masdea, Carmella Devino and Elizabeth Sciartilli; and five brothers, Joseph, Charles, Anthony, Frank and Umberto Masdea.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Jennie Masdea Lancia will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann Church in Lenox. Burial will be private in St. Joseph Cemetery.

There are no calling hours. Memorial donations in memory of Jennie may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.