Elizabeth Lentini

CHESHIRE, Conn.--Surrounded by the family she created, Elizabeth "Betty" (MacNeil) Lentini, 82, left this world on Oct. 30 after a short illness. She was born in Bangor, Maine, on March 4, 1927, daughter of the late Stephen and Margaret McNeil. She graduated from John Bapst High School in Bangor and received a degree from Lasell College in Auburndale, Mass., in 1947. Betty worked as a journalist at the Bangor Daily Commercial and then at the Waterbury Republican-American. She married Pomp Lentini, who survives her, on April 19, 1952, in Waterbury. They moved to Cheshire in 1954 and lived in their home together for 55 years. She was a communicant of the Church of the Epiphany. After seeing her children through school, she became a travel agent and worked for Elite Travel, making trips to Alaska and throughout Europe Alaska. For many years, until last month, she was a member of a duckpin bowling league in Cheshire. Betty was a natural cook who loved nothing more than gathering her family for a meal. She was a quick study with a love of witty banter. She also loved to dance and often performed a soft-shoe tap routine in her kitchen. Short of stature, she vowed to come back as a Rockette at Radio City Musical Hall and invites all to look for her there. Whenever a gathering of friends came to visit, you could count on her to get everyone singing. She worked on crossword puzzles until the day she died. Her Maine accent was a family treasure. When the Red Sox made it to the World Series in 2004, she said that if they won against those damn Yankees, she'd be ready to go. She was, in the end, a pip. Besides her husband, she leaves three sons, Vincent (Kathy) Lentini and Barth (Sandy) Lentini, both of Cheshire, Pomp of Waterbury; two daughters, Nina (Richard Norman) of Norwich and Marianne (Kent Bernarduci) Lentini-Bernarduci of Boynton Beach, Fla. Betty had six grandchildren, Elizabeth Lentini and Bryan (Kristin) Lentini, both of Cheshire, Rosemary and Bridget Norman of Norwich, and Felicia and Alyssa Lentini of Cheshire. She also leaves a great-granddaughter, Ashley, of Cheshire. Born the 10th of 14, she was the 10th to die, leaving three sisters, Catherine Fessenden and Margaret LaFontaine, both of Bangor, Sarah McNeil of Portland, Maine; and a brother, Stephen McNeil of West Haven and 40-plus nieces and nephews. She also was predeceased by two daughters, Rosemary in 1962 and Betsy in 1970. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Epiphany, 1750 Huckins Rd., Cheshire. Friends are asked to meet directly at Church. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery, Higgins Rd. Cheshire. A reception will follow. Friends may call at the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St. on Thursday, Nov. 5th, from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospital For Special Care, 2150 Corbin Ave., New Britain 06503