Lena (Linda) Cangelosi, 92, of Gladstone, Missouri, passed away October 21, 2021. She leaves behind her three children: Anna Toler (Tom) of Kansas City, Missouri; Patty Lichtenauer (Tom) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Sam Cangelosi (Margie) of Gladstone, Missouri and her sister, Patricia Becker of Hammond, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Carl, who passed in 1982.
Lena was born on March 11, 1929 in Hammond, Louisiana to Gasper and Patricia Lamonica who were strawberry farmers. She was the third oldest of seven children. Lena and Carl Cangelosi were married on July 13, 1948 in Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond, Louisiana.
The couple moved to a bungalow in northeast Kansas City where they raised their three children. They were devout Catholics who were active members of Assumption Church. Carl and Lena sacrificed so they could send their children to the adjoining school. Lena was very involved in school activities as room mother, brownie leader and volunteered to work the cafeteria. Mom was always proud of her southern roots and her connection to Northeast Kansas City.
Once the children were grown, Lena went to work for the Emery, Bird, Thayer Department Store then the Jones Store linen department in downtown Kansas City for 23 years. Shortly after, she came out of retirement to work for the North Kansas City School District at Gashland School as a cafeteria cashier for 7 years.
Finally, in her retirement, she served as a "Cookie Lady" at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, where she was a long time member and worked tirelessly at the St. Joseph Table for many years. Lena always found a way to volunteer her help, whether it was baking, cooking or crocheting new born hats for Liberty Hospital.
Mama Lena is survived by 9 grandchildren, Ryan, Casey, John, Amanda, Tony, Andrew, Andrea, Kim and Greg, and 14 great-grandchildren.
The family will welcome friends from 4:00-6:00 PM, Sunday, October 24, 2021 at the McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, Missouri for a visitation. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00PM at the chapel. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM, Monday, October 25, 2021 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 6416 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, Missouri followed by a graveside service at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, Missouri 64138. Flowers are welcomed and contributions are suggested to the Building Fund at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church.
