Lena Marie D'Errico

Lena Marie D'Errico, 99, of Bordentown, New Jersey, peacefully entered into God’s care surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 20th, 2024.

Predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Giuseppi (Joseph), and her son-in-law, Grant Umberger, she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Linda D’Errico, her daughter, Joanne Umberger, her daughter and son-in-law, Theresa D’Errico and Randy Rico, her daughter and son-in-law, Annarose and David Swanhart, Jr., her grand-children, Anthony Joseph (TJ) D’Errico and his wife Kerri, Marci Bruey and her husband Tim, Dena Sigovitch and her husband Brian, Doug Umberger and his husband Dan Werbeck, David Swanhart, III and Raelyn Swanhart, her great-grandchildren, Juliette and Savannah Bruey, William D'Errico, and Landon Sigovitch, her sister-in-law, Marie Chiappetta, her devoted caregiver Rorie, and her many nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom adored her.

Lena was born in Trenton, New Jersey, the youngest daughter of Raffaele and Teresina Chiappetta, who immigrated to this country in 1905.  She often shared memories of her childhood, growing up with 12 siblings, all of whom predeceased her: Antonio Chiappetta and his wife Mary, Luigi Chiappetta and his wife Lilian, Rosina Marchesano and her husband Tito, Joseph Chiappetta and his wife Florence, Dominic Chiappetta and his wife Carrie, Angelina Parcesepe and her husband Philip, Marianna Boardman and her husband Richard, Anina Gelak and her husband Steve, Francis Chiappetta and his wife Aurelia, Samuel Chiappetta and his wife Filomena, Vincenzo Chiappetta and his wife Katherine, and Raffaele Chiappetta Jr. 

During her employment at the Horsman Doll Factory, she met the love of her life, Giuseppi D’Errico, and they were married in 1947. They raised their children in a close-knit neighborhood in Trenton, where she met precious, lifelong friends.  Together, Lena and her two closest friends were famously known as the “Yahtzee Sisters.” Lena and Joe resided in Tom’s River for a short time, before settling in Bordentown.  Although they were wholly devoted to each other, her greatest love was for her family, who meant the world to her. She treasured her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her smile illuminated how much she adored them when she was with them.

She was affectionately known as “Weenie” by her siblings, short for “Teenie Weenie” because she was so petite; but we all knew her as “Mom”, “Mom-Mom”, “Mamalena” and “Aunt Lena.” No matter what the name, everyone who knew her loved her. At any time, you could walk into her house and in minutes you were sitting at her table with a cup of coffee and, if you were lucky, her famous homemade biscotti.