ELKHART -- Margaret Albena Milanese, 87, of Elkhart, died at 12:25 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 23, 2008) in Beardsley House.

She was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Elkhart to Joseph L. and Lucy (Ronaldi) Manfredi. On July 19, 1941, she married Joseph Milanese. He died Jan. 11, 1987.

She is survived by two sons, Lawrence (Ethel) Milanese of Elkhart and Richard (Tama) Milanese of South Bend; three daughters, Mary Lou (Tom) Gross of Fairfax, Va., and Margaret S. Torstenson and Joyce A. Forman, both of Elkhart; one brother, Joseph A. (Penny) Manfredi of Elkhart; one sister, Albena (Edward) Bollero of Elkhart; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles J. Manfredi.

Mrs. Milanese was a homemaker and formerly worked as a secretary at Elkhart Central High School. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Rosary Society, Daughters of Isabella, Married Women's Club and Elkhart Moose Lodge 599. She enjoyed traveling.

Visitation is from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart, where friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the service.

The Rev. Phil DeVolder will officiate, with burial and graveside services to follow at St. Vincent Cemetery in Elkhart. A parish rosary will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to Beardsley House, 27833 C.R. 24, Elkhart, IN 46517 or the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637

Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.