Michelina “Mama” Lombardi, Matriarch of the Lombardi Restaurant Family, Dies at 92
Mama Lombardi’s restaurant announced that they were closed on Monday to honor their matriarch, Michelina Lombardi, who died on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Lombardi was known for her culinary skills and nurturing spirit, passed away at the age of 92, according to her obituary. Emigrating from Italy in 1968, Lombardi became a cherished figure in her community, renowned for her love of cooking and gardening.
Her kitchen was a hub of joy and abundance, where she shared her passion for Italian cuisine with family and friends. Lombardi’s green thumb and dedication to her garden symbolized the care and attention she gave to her relationships.
As a devoted mother of eight, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lombardi’s unwavering support profoundly impacted her family. She instilled values of love, compassion, and resilience in her children, shaping them into remarkable individuals.
An outpouring of support and condolences flooded social media after news of Mama Lombardi’s death was released.
“She always made me smile,” said one commentor. “Loved children, always greeting them in the pizzeria. While she hadn’t been in the Restaurant for a while, her spirit was. She will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the family and staff.”
“I grew up working for Mr. Lombardi from Villa Lombardi’s to helping open up the Lombardi’s Market, they taught me so much about hard work and how ‘Reputation is everything,'” another wrote. “My thoughts are with them all during this tough time.”
The Lombardi restaurant empire started back in 1976 when the casual pizzeria Mamma Lombardi’s opened in Holbrook. Now the family runs multiple locations, catering halls, a market, and more.
In honor of Lombardi’s generous spirit, her family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Funeral services are private and have been entrusted to Moloney’s Lake Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
