Obituaries

Lena Ottulich Occhi

Lena Ottulich Occhi passed away Aug. 24. She was a talented artist and dedicated her life to serving as the link between the younger generations and our families’ cultural heritages.

Born in Astoria in 1927 to Italian immigrants, Dominic and Maria Pellegrinelli, she was the youngest of four children, Betty, Risty and Elsie, whom she adored.

She attended Washington Irving High School and Pratt Institute in New York City and began work as a greeting card illustrator.

She married her first love Louis Ottulich, and together they raised two children, Raymond and Cathie, in the same house her father built and she was born in.

Many years after the death of her husband Louie, she found love again with her second husband Joseph Occhi. They made a home and life up in Stone Ridge, N.Y. Joe’s son Eddie became a welcomed addition to her family.

Lena is survived by her son Raymond (Joan); daughter Cathie (Tom) Dickerson; and stepson Eddie (Linda). She was a loving Nonnie to her grandchildren: Ry (Diana), Nicholas (Kendra), Betsy, Cassi, Rachel, Michael and Christina; great-grandson Nolan; and Aunt Lena to many cherished nieces and nephews. She will live in our hearts forever.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead. A prayer service will take place at the funeral home at 8 p.m.

This is a paid notice.