Lena Rochon, 93, of Lewiston, NY, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025, at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Born in Introdacqua, the province of L’Aquila, Italy, Lena was the daughter of the late Filomeno and Maria Concetta (DiPietro) DeSantis, and the beloved wife of the late Joseph Arnel “Arnie” Rochon, whom she married on May 28, 1955.
She and her late husband, Arnie, were married for 66 years. Together they raised one daughter, Cindy, and a son, Paul, sharing many years of a beautiful life, raising a family and building a home filled with love.
Lena possessed a joyful spirit, living a life defined by incredible strength and boundless affection for her family, friends and church. She was a master of the kitchen and could be found baking a delectable array of cakes or cookies for her granddaughters or simmering a pot of wedding soup for special occasions. Her house was a place of warmth, laughter, and most importantly, an open door for anyone who needed it. Lena enjoyed many long-lasting friendships because of this. You could always count on her to help organize a gathering or promote an idea within a group. Her energy and ability to drop everything to help someone in need was extraordinary.
Lena sailed from the bay of Naples Italy, to NY Harbor in December 1937, along with her Mother and 2 sisters, escaping Fascist Italy and reuniting with her Father in Niagara Falls, NY.
As a child Lena attended NF public schools where she developed a love of books and learning which lasted a lifetime. She was a prolific reader and enjoyed a wide range of novels of history and biographies which she freely shared with friends and family. She graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1951, she earned an academic scholarship and attended the Buffalo State Teachers College. She began her working life at Walker’s Laundry, Kimberly Clark and Super Duper, later retiring as a dedicated and much-admired Teacher’s Aide from the NF school system.
After retiring, Lena continued to donate her time to a number of pursuits, including her affiliations as a parishioner of Mt. Carmel RC Church, Member and Past president of the Altar Rosary Society of Mt. Carmel, Member and Past president of the Catholic Women League, Member of Cristoforo Columbo Women’s Society, Past member of Duke Center Socialites, Member of Madonna Del Soccorso Societa (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), Member of Fatima Shrine, and served on many NFHS class reunion committees’ as well as a member of the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara, Inc., working at the polls for the Niagara County Board of Elections, as an election judge to oversee the election process and ensure it is administered fairly and in accordance with the law.
Lena is survived by her children, Cynthia “Cindy” Rochon Ondra and Paul Rochon; her adored grandchildren, Stevie (M. Hunter Giese) Ondra, Kate Ondra, Marissa Ondra, and Claudia Rochon; and her great-granddaughter, Josephine Linden Giese, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Her sisters in laws Rena (Peter) Hendrick, Gerry (late Cliff) Daines, Aurise (late Peter) Magierowski. In addition to her husband, Lena was predeceased by her siblings Ernestine (late Ernest) Colasante, and Vincenzo “Vince” (late Rose) DeSantis, Flora (late Tony) Mazzarella, and sisters in laws the late Lillian Rochon, and Muriel and Steve Olah.
Her legacy of love and laughter, service and devotion, will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 10 from 4-7 PM from M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, where funeral services will begin on Saturday, October 11 at 9:15 AM, followed by Lena’s Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. Entombment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Feedmore WNY. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.
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SERVICES
Visitation
Friday, October 10, 2025
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
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Funeral Service
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:15 AM
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Get Directions on Google Maps
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, October 11, 2025
10:00 AM
St. Joseph’s Church
1413 Pine Avenue
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Get Directions on Google Maps