Obituaries

Mrs Ida (née Mastrocola) Schena

Sherbrooke, 17 February 2022

It is with sadness, and yet comfort, that my mother passed quietly at the Foyer St. Joseph in Sherbrooke on February 16, 2022.
Mom was born January 12, 1922, the daughter of Anna Maria and Pasquale Mastrocola in an area of Montreal known as Little Italy. In the same church where she was baptized, she married Mike Schena, a handsome Italian, and the couple moved to Sherbrooke. During their 38 years together, my mother was a homemaker
and my father ran his business and together raised five children, not so unusual for the time. Mom was a great cook, made our clothes, and took an interest in all of our schooling and outside activities. She valued education and encouraged all of us to either go to college or to learn a trade, which we did. As a devoted Catholic, mom was very active in St. Patrick’s Parish. She worked very hard at their fundraisers such as the elephant sales, the Mission Circle and was happy to take part in the Church teas which were held regularly.

She participated in an artist guild and made many friends. One of her paintings hangs to the right of the altar at St. Patrick’s Church. Mom also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was a good friend.

Because of COVID we were unable to visit often but had the opportunity through the Centre des Loisirs at the Foyer St. Joseph to video chat/visit with mom. Herhundredth birthday was wonderful. She was alert, happy and beautiful. There was laughter, balloons and visiting. In her own way she let us know that she
loved us all.

Mom leaves behind fi ve children Angela (Peter) Lachance, Maine, Anna Maria Skena (Doug Craig), Micheline (Dale) Butterwick; Michael (Lynn) Skena; and, Mario Skena all residing Alberta; grandchildren Vincent and Christian (Jodie) Collin; Jason (Elizabeth) Lachance; Kate (Eric) Simonds; David (Julia) Butterwick, John (Tara) Butterwick; Brett (Sara) Butterwick; Danny (Alyssa) Butterwick; Josh Skena; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Maria Mastrocola, nieces and nephews Gloria (Danny) Marquis, Patricia Mastrocola, Anna Paquette, Linda
Mastrocola, Joe Mastrocola, Angela Rachiele, Joe Rachiele a special godchild, Lily, and dear friends Margo and Lilianne.

Preceded in death were husband Mike, her parents Anna Maria and Pasquale Mastrocola, her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Jimmy Piacente, brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Yolanda Mastrocola and brother Johnny Mastrocola.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Foyer St. Joseph and to those who took care of our mom with so much respect and dignity. A special thanks to Dr. Lucille Couture for her sensitivity and understanding of my mother’s wishes; to Josee Doyon for making sure that we could see and visit with mom and for her wonderful sense of humor.

The funeral services will take place at St. Patrick’s Church on March 23 at 11:30 a.m. Visitation with the family will be at the church at 10:30 a.m. For those who are unable to attend, virtual services will be available on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri2ripuDGhI

Interment will be held at a later date at Cote des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.