Lenore Radelich, 83, of Windham, NY went home to meet her Heavenly Father on December 16, 2025.

After a prolonged hospitalization, she was able to return home where she was lovingly cared for by her daughter and son-in-law, Marianna and Leslie Leman, and her beloved husband of 64 years, Vito Radelich.

Although her bout of congestive heart failure is what led to her passing, her heart's desire was always to "pass away one day, peacefully at home... all warm and cozy in my bed." This was fulfilled when her time had come.

There could be many stories written about the highlights of Lenore's life. The most romantic one is how she met her true love. Lenore met Vito at the Bohemian Hall in Astoria, Queens, NY at a "Croatian Picnic," a cultural heritage gathering of tradition, friendship, food, and festivities. With gentleman on one side of the hall, and ladies on the other, she gracefully accepted Vito's hand to dance. When the music stopped, the cupid on Lenore's charm bracelet was entangled into Vito's sweater, and the two have been intertwined ever since. Their story started that moment, she was 17, Vito seven years her senior, and the two stood bashful and smitten on a quiet dance floor. Their love for each other lasted the test of time.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where the couple lived until two years after they wed. They moved to Copiague, Long Island with their two children; her extended family likewise relocated to the same area. With the vision and determination of her mother, the matriarch, the entire family launched into the restaurant business and opened Ye Old Mariners, an establishment specializing in homemade dishes featuring fresh seafood.

In 1976, the couple moved to Windham, NY and laboriously renovated a former historic Osborn House building known as The Grill, transforming into La Griglia Ristorante, a Northern Italian dining experience that was truly ahead of its time. Lenore operated in the gift of hospitality and the impact she made in the short twelve years of their Windham restaurant continues to be admired today.

Before Lenore exiting the fine dining world, she was challenged by a friend to examine her faith, belief, and walk. Her disposition was one of grace and service to others, she was a tough, but fair, employer. But there was more to life, and more importantly, more to eternal life. Lenore was the first in her family to wholeheartedly surrender to God. She learned the true meaning of the Gospel, and the completed work of Christ Jesus. Her faith became strong, impacting those around her, and changed the trajectory of many family members, staff, friends, and patrons. Religion was replaced with relationship, and Christianity deepened her natural disposition.

The next chapter in her life began just across the street, with the painstaking renovation of two more former Obsorn House buildings. Lenore's vision was to create a charming 21 room country inn which she aptly named Albergo Allegria, Italian for the "Inn of Happiness." Her hospitality accolades continued for four decades, and now two generations. Lenore's charm, care, and listening ear, paired with her most delicious handmade baked goods impacted travelers from across the globe. Her life was sincere and genuine, with a heartfelt love for people with whom she connected with from all walks of life.

In addition to the aforementioned beloved Vito, Marianna and Leslie, Lenore is survived by her loving brother and sister-in-law to whom she spoke with every day, Albert and Gina Carlovich; her cherished son and daughter-in-law, Stefan and Alta Radelich; six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and likewise survived by “honorary” grandchildren, an additional great grandchild, loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. As Lenore mentored, impacted, inspired, and loved unconditionally, there are many of whom she counted as family.

All are invited to her memorial service on March 28, 2026, at Hope Restoration Church, 117 NY-296 Windham, NY 12496. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., with the service commencing at 10 a.m. For those who cannot attend in person, the service is set to be broadcast live on the Facebook page of Hope Restoration Church. Questions regarding the livestreaming can be texted or emailed in advance to the Radelich/Leman family.

We encourage you to share your favorite memories, condolences, personal stories, and communications with the Radelich/Leman family whether in person, or via: email: mail@AlbergoUSA.com; text message: 518-734-5560; parcel post: PO Box 235 Windham, NY 12496.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a spousal survivor donation, or a contribution to the charities Lenore supported most dearly:

Granddaughter: Anneke Radelich serving the remote native tribes of Alaska at equipnet.org/missionaries/aradelich.

Honorary Granddaughter: Sharlene Dorsch (and husband Jarod) founded https://risenations.org serving with love globally through sustainable projects, outreach, and discipleship.

Son: Stefan Radelich who serves as president of feedthehungry.org which feeds over 650,000 orphaned and vulnerable children across 26 countries and provides disaster relief in times of crisis in the United States and abroad.