Luigina Sarafina (Lento) Metcalfe

Obituary Luigina (Lou) Metcalfe, daughter of Joe and Battistina Lento, passed away on October 12th at the age of 92. She was preceded in death in 2011 by her loving husband of 59 years, James W. (Jim) Metcalfe. Luigina was born in Tacoma, Washington, one of three sisters. She attended St. Leo's Catholic grade school, Aquinas High School, and received a music scholarship to UPS. Lou was a gifted violinist who performed in her early life with her father and sisters, Rosemarie and Toni. The Lento family was not only renowned in the Tacoma area as excellent musicians, but also performed for the Governor and other dignitaries. Lou joined the Tacoma Symphony at age 12 and went on to give many concerts and recitals in the Tacoma and Seattle area. Lou also taught at the Conservatory of Modern Music, a music school for veterans, which was co-founded by her father and her brother-in-law, Attilio (Art) Mineo, after World War II. She met her husband Jim on his 30th birthday - December 28, 1948 - following his honorable discharge from the Army at Ft. Lewis. Four years later they married. They had two children, Mikelanne and Jim, and motherhood became Lou's passion. Her husband, Jim, began his career in the printing industry in Tacoma and Lou worked with him to launch Jim's business, Metcalfe Product Services, in San Mateo. There they lived out the rest of their lives. Lou turned homemaking into an art form and carried on the Lento family tradition of fine Italian cooking and warm hospitality entertaining. It was customary that after her guests feasted on a plate of her exquisite pasta, they would prevail upon her to pick up her violin and watch in amazement as she transformed from Master Chef to Master Violinist. As her children grew older, Lou refocused and embraced her love of music, performing with the Peninsula Symphony, where she soon became Concertmistress. Although she had to cope with illness in the later part of her life, the family is grateful for those seasons when she was able to be herself again. Then, for a time, the air was filled once more with her laughter, warmth and light. Lou had a zest for life; laughter was her medicine, music was her meditation, and she drew strength from her Catholic faith. Luigina is survived by her devoted children Jim and Mikelanne; loving sister Toni Mineo; nephews Gene Mineo and Tim Metcalfe; nieces Gwen Parker and Suzanne Metcalfe; many cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews; as well as many treasured friends. Funeral services were held in San Mateo, California. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11:00am on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 70th St. W, Tacoma, Washington. Lou will be laid to rest next to her husband Jim. Lou's passions in life were the needs of children and music education. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor her by donating to St. Jude's Hospital or Evergreen Community Orchestra, P.O. Box 2812, Everett, Washington 98213, evergreencommunityorchestra.org.