Maddalena DiBattista, 88, of Gravina in Puglia, Italy, entered into eternal rest on Nov. 8 at her home in Chester. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph DiBattista.

Lena was a strong, fun-loving Italian woman from the old country who devoted her life to her family and friends. She was an amazing gourmet cook who welcomed many people to her table to enjoy food, love, and conversation. Lena had a passion for the Lord, her family, her heritage, and life. She had a gift for making any house a home, no matter the state or country. She was a devout parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Chester.

Lena is survived by her six children and their spouses: Bob and Dotty DiBattista, Angela and Davis Caplan, Ralph and Rosa DiBattista, Marilena and Sandy Vaccaro, Franco and Caryn DiBattista, and Juliana and Nino Pisanzio. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Anne Dumais, Vincent and spouse Danielle Sullo, Joseph Sullo, SaraLena DiBattista, Nicholas DiBattista, Carissa DiBattista, Erica Vaccaro, Francesca Pisanzio, and Alessia Pisanzio. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Bobby Dumais, Amanda Dumais, Valentina Sullo, Vincent Sullo, and Dylan Sullo.

Memorial services will be held on Nov. 19 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 48 Middlesex Ave., Chester, CT 06412. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org. The Swan Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.