She was born August 28, 1934 in Campobello di Mazara, Sicily, Italy to Andrea and Tommasa Messina. She was the youngest of seven and grew up helping her parents on the farm. As a young lady she loved to draw, paint and do embroidery which she became so skilled at that she had a studio in her home where she thought others.
Lina married Antonino Lombardo at the age of 26 on June 25, 1960 and had two children. After moving to Palermo, Sicily for a few years they decided to immigrate to the United States and live in St. Louis in December of 1973 to be closer to her sister.
She and her husband were in the restaurant business until they retired. After losing her husband in 1995 she moved to Lewistown to live with her daughter and was a big part of her grandsons’ lives. She attended all their activities and became a regular at the YMCA in Canton where she enjoyed going 5 days a week and participated in every class possible including Zumba, Yoga, Ripped, Water Exercise and Silver Sneakers. Because of her age and being such an active member of the Y, she was featured in the local paper a couple of times.
She also spent some of her time visiting her sister in Florida and going back to Italy with her for months at a time.
When home, you could find her walking 3.3 miles around town to keep fit. She loved exercising. When she no longer felt comfortable driving, she decided to move into Courtyard Estates to join her daughter’s in-laws. She really enjoyed living there, plenty of space to walk inside, new friends and crafts and activities.
Lina was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and husband.
She is survived by her daughter Caterina (Brian) Ebert of Lewistown, her son Salvatore (Irene) Lombardo of Portsmouth NH, four grandchildren; Seth and Jesse Ebert, Kaelina and Sofia Lombardo, three great-grandchildren, Noah, Lianna and Shevy Ebert and her sister Caterina Barbera.
Lina will be best remembered by her hugs and smile, her ‘I love you” and “my beautiful.’
According to her grandsons, no one made better lasagna, spaghetti sauce or Christmas fig cookies.
She knew no stranger and enjoyed loving and talking to everyone, even if they might not understand everything she said.
Lina attended the Bryant Christian Church in Bryant, IL every Sunday which was the highlight of her week. She was everybody’s Nonna and will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Bryant Christian Church at 11am with a visitation one hour prior at the Church. A funeral Luncheon will follow at the church also. She will be entombed at the Calvary Mausoleum in St Louis, MO, on Thursday, December 4, at 11am in the Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Bryant Christian Church.
Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton is in charge of arrangements.
To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com
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