Lena T. Paradis, 91, of Maple Avenue in Claremont, died Wednesday afternoon, December 31, 2008 at her home.

She was a native and life long resident of Claremont, NH, born on March 23, 1917 the daughter of Michael and Anna (Marro) Maiola.

Lena worked at the Sullivan County Nursing Home in the laundry room for several years and at Boccia’s in the Square and previously in the shoe shops in the area.   She was a communicant of St Mary’s Church.

She was the widow of John Paradis whom she married on September 5, 1938 and he died March 19, 2005.  She was also pre-deceased by five sisters, Josephine Maiola age 11, Mary O’Mara in 2003, Carmela “Minnie” Maiola in 2004, Elizabeth “Betty” Harrington in 2007 and Rose K. Gaspardino in 2007.

The surviving family includes, one son, Robert J. Paradis and his wife, Dorothy of Peculiar, MO; one daughter, Catherine Luopa and her husband, Kenneth of Troy; six grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Sadie Lessard of Claremont; three brothers, Joseph Maiola of Barre, VT, Anthony Maiola of Newport and Rocco Maiola of Spokane, WA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning, January 3, 2009 at Eleven O’clock in the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont, with Rev. Father George Majka, Pastor of St Joseph Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Saturday from 9 to 11 AM prior to the services.

The family suggest that donations may be made in her memory to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001 or the Connecticut Valley Home Care/Hospice, 958 John Stark Highway, Newport, NH 03773-2609.