We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lena Maria Cederholm Pecquet, 80, of Centralia, Missouri on June 3, 2022. Her passing followed a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.

Lena was born on August 20, 1941 in Mälmo, Sweden and grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. She married her beloved husband Claude Pecquet in 1965. Before moving to Centralia, Missouri in 1978, Lena lived in Paris, Stockholm, New York, Saint Louis and Chicago with her young family.

She is survived by her husband Claude, her daughters Caroline and Christina and her sister Ajta. She was predeceased by her parents, her parents-in-law and her son Jean-Claude.

Lena has contributed greatly to the community throughout her years as a resident of Centralia. In addition to being an active member of the PEO Sisterhood Chapter AF, the Sorosis Club of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs International and the Centralia Women’s Club, she co-managed local blood drives for many years. She also served as a board member of the Centralia Public Library during its expansion and relocation, volunteered as a museum guide for the Centralia Historical Society, and participated in church activities. Catholic Holy Spirit. For 20 years, Lena worked with the Missouri Department of Family Services in Boone County during the winter months as the administrator of its energy assistance program.

An avid reader, Lena enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends. She had a passion for discovery and travel – including day trips to Missouri state parks, spontaneous trips across the United States and international travel, often returning for visits to France, in Sweden and Switzerland. In her later years, she was a member of the Scandinavian Heritage Society in Columbia, Missouri and studied various subjects such as literature, art, foreign languages, and political science through Osher at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

A memorial service will be held at the Centralia Historical Society Museum at 319 East Sneed Street on Monday, June 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a short program at 5:30 p.m.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church of Centralia at 404 South Rollins Street at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28.

For those wishing to make donations in Lena’s memory, the family suggests the following organizations: the Centralia Public Library; The Food Bank of Central and Northeastern Missouri; Team Gleason, which provides technology and support for people living with ALS; and Catholic Relief Services and may be entrusted to Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home, 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.

Online condolences can be dropped off at www.fentonkendrickfh.com