Lena (DeLuca) Conway, 98, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, at The Woodlands at Springhill Senior Living Community, surrounded by the love of her six children. Born on June 20, 1928, to Concetta and Dominic DeLuca, Lena was one of eleven children in a close-knit Italian family whose parents immigrated from Calabria, Italy. Throughout her life, she embodied the values of faith, family, hard work, resilience, and generosity.
Lena graduated from East High School and studied Cooperative Marketing at Erie Tech. She was a spirited cheerleader during her school years and also enjoyed participating in acrobatics and tumbling at the Neighborhood House under the tutelage of Carmen Mazza. She loved staying active throughout her life, whether walking, participating in water aerobics, or simply enjoying playing with her children and grandchildren.
She met the love of her life, John Conway, while they were both employed at General Electric. They shared 42 wonderful years of marriage until John’s passing, creating a home filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Besides her beloved husband, John, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Mary Ann Fioretti, son-in-law, Joe Higgins; her parents, Concetta and Dominic DeLuca; brothers Joe, Frank, Albert, James, Dick, and Eddie; sisters Rose, Betty, Jane, and Edith; sisters-in-law Mary, Lizzie, Dorothy, and Shirley, along with her brothers-in-law Ed Chilelli, Paul Corritore, Charles “Chubby” Marchant, and Mac Alberico.
Nothing brought Lena greater joy than her family. She is survived by her six children: Kathy Higgins, Karen Conway, David Conway (Debbie), Joyce Fioretti (Pasquale), Denise Benedik (Tom), and Laura O’Hara (Mark); 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters-in-law, Margie and Sally DeLuca and several nieces and nephews.
Independent, strong-willed, and deeply caring, Lena devoted many years as a volunteer at the local cancer center, generously giving her time and compassion to those in need. She touched countless lives through her kindness and willingness to help others.
In her later years, Lena enjoyed living at Oakview Personal Care Home at Springhill Senior Living Community. She embraced the many activities available to her and formed treasured friendships with both residents and staff, who became an extended family.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers and staff at The Woodlands at Springhill Senior Living Community and Interim Hospice. Their exceptional comfort care, kindness, dignity, and support brought great peace to Lena and her family during her final days, and their compassion will always be remembered with deep appreciation.
Lena’s greatest legacy is the love she gave so freely to her family and friends. Her strength, warmth, determination, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she will be deeply missed, her love and example will continue to live on through the many generations of her family.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral mass on September 19, 2026, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, West 6th Street, Erie, with visitation to begin at 10:30 a.m. and the funeral mass to begin at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life. Condolences may be made at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Greater PA Chapter, 1600 Peninsula Drive, Erie, 16505 or Asbury Foundation, Benevolent Care Fund, 2323 Edinboro Road, Erie, 16509.
Posted online on September 13, 2026
Published in Erie Times-News