LENA MARY (PIOLI) SHAW
Lena Mary Palman Pioli was born March 5, 1914 in Kelowna. She was the daughter of Ippolito Angelo Pioli and Annunziata Mathilde Campigli. She passed away at McKinney Place in the early morning hours of October 3, 2011 with her oldest daughter Sandra by her side.
After finishing school, Lena worked at the Laurel Packing House until 1936 when a group of women were sent from Kelowna to
Oliver to work as there was a shortage of workers. It was here that she met Russell James Shaw and they were married August 28 1937 at Immaculate Conception Church in Kelowna and made their home in Oliver.
Lena is survived by her three daughters: Sandra (Frank) Jones; Brenda and Norma (Greg Jones); two grandchildren, Angela (Jeff) deKergommeaux and Dean (Elena) Jones. She is also survived by three great grandchildren: Sophie and Nicolas deKergommeaux and Alessandra Jones, as well as many nieces and nephews and family members in Italy, France and Brazil.
Lena was predeceased by her infant daughter Regina Lorraine in 1952, her mother in 1969, her father in 1981, her brother Leno Pioli in February 2005 and her husband Russell in October of 2005.
Lena was a Charter Member of the Catholic Women’s League at Immaculate Conception Church in Kelowna; an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary in Oliver, a charter member of the Oliver P.T.A. and a life long member of the CCF/NDP Party. She and Alma Faulds were instrumental in getting the native children back from the reservation schools and into the local school system. Lena cooked and baked for all these organizations over the many years she was involved with them.
Funeral Services will be held from Christ the King Catholic Church on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at 1pm with graveside services following. A Reception will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church following the graveside services. There will be a visitation for those who wish it from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm at the Catholic Church just prior to the service.