Lena M. Howard – Italian Swiss Colony worker

Lena M. Howard passed away Feb. 23 in Cloverdale. She was the
beloved wife for 69 years of the late Harlan Howard; loving mother
and mother-in-law of Harlene and Joel Wright of Healdsburg; devoted
grandmother of Steve Wright and Sandy Houtman of Princeton; very
proud great grandmother of Paul, Shawna and David Wright, and the
late Michael Houtman; dearest sister of Marie Boatman of
Healdsburg. Proceeded in death by her parents, Adriano and Amelia
Baldi; sisters and brother Nioma Rochioli, Jenny Sodini and Frank
Baldi. Lena was born in 1912 on the Whalor Ranch in Sonoma County,
where her parents settled after emigrating from Italy. It was there
in later years she met and married Harlan Howard, who worked there
during the hop picking years. Lena worked at Italian Swiss Colony
for 10 years. She and Harlan then moved to Redwood Valley where
they lived for 48 years. She was a life long resident of Sonoma and
Mendocino Counties, aged 94 years. You are invited to attend a
Gathering in celebration of Lena’s life on Saturday, March 3, 1
p.m. to 4 p.m. at Harlene and Joel’s residence in Healdsburg.
Donations to your favorite charity would be appreciated.