SHERBURNE – Lena P. Papelino, 89, formerly of Sherburne, died peacefully Monday evening, Dec. 7, 2009 at the New York State Veteran’s Home, Oxford, where she had been residing since 2002.
She was born Nov. 1, 1920 in Jonesboro, Tenn., the daughter of the late Orville M. and Blanche Treadway Presnell. When she was one year old, her parents moved with her and her sister from Tennessee to a farm on Pleasant Valley and Skinner Hill Roads in Sherburne. She attended and graduated from Sherburne Central School class of 1939.
On Feb. 24, 1941, she married Carmen Papelino in Sherburne. He predeceased her on Sept. 2, 1970. Lena, or Jerry as she was known to her friends, was a great cook, especially Italian dishes and she loved to garden. For several years, she worked in the Sherburne Central School cafeteria. She often said her three favorite things in the whole world were: horses, dogs and men – in that order.
Lena is survived by one daughter, JoAnn Papelino of Sherburne; one son, Jan (Maryanne Dean) Papelino of Norwich; four granddaughters: Lee Ann Papelino of New Berlin, Danielle (Chad) Campbell of Sherburne, Amy Papelino of Baldwinsville and Maria Papelino of Richmond, Va.; two grandsons, Steven Papelino of Clovis, N.M. and Kyle Papelino of Richmond, Va.; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Papelino, Utica; one great grandson; several nephews, cousins and good friends also survive. 
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her beloved sister, Bernice Straka and sons Michael and Thomas.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the West Hill Cemetery in Sherburne. In keeping with Lena’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Paul Funeral Home of Madison.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815 or Heritage Farm, 3599 State Hwy. 46, Bouckville, NY 13310.