Lena M. Zagorda-O'Dea

Lena M. Zagorda O'Dea

On June 1, 2025, Lena went home to her Lord in Heaven. Lena was born on January 19, 1926, in Billings, Montana, to James and Mary Zagorda. She was the fourth child in her family of six siblings, that included two brothers and three sisters. Lena graduated from Billings Senior High in 1943. After graduation, she attended St. Mary's College, now the University of St. Mary, in Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1948, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.

After returning to Billings, she was the Choir Director and organist for Little Flower Church. In 1952, she married the love of her life, Tony O'Dea, on September 27th. Together, they had 3 children, Bob (Renee) of Billings, Anne (Richard) of Moses Lake, WA, and Cathy (Rob) of Maple Valley, WA. She has 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Lena taught piano for 23 years and enjoyed everyone of her students. She also was a Pink Lady volunteer at St. Vincent's Hospital; helped out at Meals on Wheels and volunteered as a "Grandma" at Central Heights elementary school. Her family, church and community were always very important to her. She was a member of RCIA and Council of Catholic Women at St. Pius X Church until her health failed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony, her parents, her brothers Peter & Mickey, her sisters Rose, Annette and Jeanette and her grandson, Sam. She leaves behind her many cousins, nieces and nephews that she loved and cared for.