Obituary of Teresa Taormina Arena

Teresa Taormina Arena, a resident of Lodi since 1948, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2003 after a long illness. She was 79 years of age. Teresa was born in Termini Imerese, Sicily, Italy on May 28, 1924. She was the daughter of Filippo Taormina and Maria Besesi. Teresa married Frank Arena in Trabia, Sicily in 1946 and immigrated to the United States with her first-born son, Philip,in 1948. She and baby Philip went through Ellis Island and were part of the post World War II wave of Italian immigrants. After a short stay in Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburg, PA, she and Frank and Philip settled on Church Street in Lodi in 1948. Teresa worked in the fruit packing industry for a few years before becoming a fulltime homemaker. She raised four children: Philip, Margaret, Mary and Frank, Jr. She was a member of the Lodi Italian Club and Italian Catholic Federation and St. Anne's Catholic Church. She is survived by her son, Philip and wife, Carol, of Fresno; her daughter, Mary Jolley and husband, Dale, of Lodi; and son, Frank, Jr. and wife, Lori, of Lodi. She has five grandchildren; Christopher and Patrick Arena, Stefan and Marisa Jolley and Annamarie Arena. She is also survived by her brothers, Salvatore and Ignazio Taormina and sister, Caterina Taormina who live in Italy. She is also survived by nieces and nephews in Italy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank and daughter, Margaret. Nona adored here grandchildren and took an active part in helping raise Stefan, Marisa and Annamarie. In fact, it could be said they were her major hobby. But Nona was also a great cook and baker, and she took great pride and delight preparing and presenting her Sicilian dinners and holiday pastries. Her cannoli were the best! And her "pasta cu sugo" was unbelievable! Nona will be greatly missed by all her family and many friends. Riposa In Pace, Mama and Nona. Visitation will be on Saturday, 3PM-8PM, Sunday, 9AM-6PM, Monday, 8AM-7PM at which time a Recitation of the Rosary will be held at Lodi Funeral Home at 7 PM . A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 PM at St. Anne's Catholic Church. Committal will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park Mausoleum.