Leona (Santamaria) Defino

Waltham – Mrs. Leona (Santamaria) Defino, of Waltham, died Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hosice in Wayland. She was 91.

Leona was born in Waltham on November 3, 1925, a daughter of the late John and Catherine Santamaria, and had been a lifelong resident. After high school she worked as a dressmaker and later in life worked for many years in the food service department for the Waltham Public Schools.

She leaves her husband of sixty-five years, John T. Defino; her children, Joani Defino and Donna Manoogian and her husband, Gary, all of Waltham; her special family friends, the Cocuzzo family of Waltham and many nieces and nephews.

Leona was also the sister of the late Rose Fucci, Josephine DeMarco, Helen Rando and Stephen Santamaria and an aunt of the late Arlene Peterson and Anthony Rando.

Family and friends will honor and remember Leona's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, February 28th from 5 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning when her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.