Wake Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc.

08/31/2026

It is with heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of Stephen Benedict Calandrino Sr., born in Brooklyn, NY, after courageously battling cancer on 8/26/26. Stephen is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lauri, as well as his children Christopher, Janessa (James), Dominic and Stevie, his granddaughter Phoebe along with his 15 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Salvatore and Nancy, as well as his sister Colette.

Stephen always had the answer for everything. He made things happen. He always had time for you, even when he really didn’t. Everyone was his family. He always had a good outlook on life- a glass half full kind of person. He built his family business from the ground up on that mindset. He wanted to leave a legacy for his family to ensure they’d always be taken care of.

Stephen’s family will be holding a private service on Wednesday. They appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time.

In lieu of flowers, get your family together and order a meatball pizza- have one last slice with Steve.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/24/2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Shu Chin Wen, who passed away on August 20, 2026, after a courageous battle with liver cancer. She was 52 years old.

Shu Chin was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose creativity, kindness, and caring spirit touched the lives of those around her. Above all, she was a devoted mother to her twin sons, Alex Shelley and Ethan Shelley, whom she loved deeply and who were the center of her life.

Shu Chin had a wonderfully creative spirit and a special gift for bringing things to life. She had a remarkable green thumb and found great joy in growing and caring for plants. Her compassion extended to animals of all kinds. Over the years, she lovingly cared for dogs, cats, a hedgehog, and many other animals that became part of her family.

Shu Chin lived a modest life and found happiness in the things that mattered most to her—her children, her family, her animals, her plants, and the simple joys of home.

She is survived by her beloved twin sons, Alex Shelley and Ethan Shelley; her mother, Fong Wen; her older brother, Shu Mai Wen; and her younger brother, Tung Fei Wen, along with family and friends who will deeply miss her.

To those who knew and loved her, Shu Chin was so much more than words can express. She was a wonderful mother, daughter, and sister, and her absence leaves an immeasurable space in our family.

Funeral Service
Family and friends are invited to join us as we honor...

Read the full obituary

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/20/2026

In Loving Memory of Sachiko Isa McShea

Sachiko McShea, born December 25, 1937, affectionately known as Koko-san, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, August 16th.

Born in Okinawa,Japan, she carried a deep love for her heritage and the values of family, tradition, and resilience. She built a life centered on those she loved and was known for her strength, generosity, and strong work ethic.

Sachiko was the proud owner of Toyo-Shokuhin and Gifts. She ran her Japanese store for over 40 years in Spring Lake and Cary.

She took great pride in her family and found joy in watching each generation grow. Her Okinawan and Japanese heritage remained an important part of her family’s identity, passed down through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Sachiko leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, generosity, and family that will endure for generations.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Japanese Language School of Raleigh in honor of Sachiko McShea. Gifts can be made at
https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Jlsr Thank you for remembering them with your kindness.”

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/19/2026

Diana Lynn Lucas passed away on August 18, 2026. She was the loving wife of John Lucas. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 24, 2026, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513. Burial will follow in Wake Memorial Park, Cary.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/18/2026

Leigh David Lipkin was born to Albert and Ruth Lipkin April 14, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY. Leigh spent his childhood and young adulthood in Brooklyn, attending Brooklyn College. After attending college, Leigh was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. He served his commitment overseas in Germany. When he returned home, he was a hippie in the truest sense. He had shoulder length hair and aspired to own a bookstore. This changed when he met his future wife, Harriet. As Harriet would say, “I saw potential.” He thus began a long and successful career in the shoe business. Leigh was a consultant for women’s shoe manufacturing companies. He was considered to be an expert in leather and manufacturing of shoes. His career would take him to the far corners of the world, including Italy, Yugoslavia, Brazil, China and India.
Though his work would take him around the world, inarguably the biggest trip he took was across the river to New Jersey where he and Harriet raised their two sons, Michael and Jason. Leigh was an outstanding father who instilled his love for ping pong, skiing, sports teams (especially the NY Giants), music, great food (belly lox and pickled herring) and most importantly family. He was generous and supportive, always there to listen and provide advice. Leigh was also an outstanding cook, and his Sunday night “Shabbas” dinners were legendary but far from kosher.
Later in life, Leigh moved down to Chapel Hill, NC, close to...

Read the full obituary

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/17/2026

Michael A. Bennett, 67, of Apex, North Carolina, passed away on August 12, 2026, following a brief illness, surrounded by the love of his family. Born to Edwin and Nancy Bennett in Unionville, Pennsylvania, Michael called Unionville home for fifty-five years before relocating to Apex to support his wife's family. Unionville remained a community he deeply valued and one to which he stayed closely connected throughout his life. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Donna Winslow Bennett; his beloved daughter, Amber Paige Bennett; his brother, Edwin Bennett and his wife, Libby; and several nieces and nephews who adored him. He was preceded in death by his parents.
An avid outdoorsman, Michael found true contentment in nature. He approached hunting and fishing with a strong sense of responsibility and was intentional about protecting the places he frequented, harboring a deep respect and sense of awe for all forms of wildlife and the outdoors.
Michael was also a gifted athlete whose love of sports began at a young age. He played soccer, basketball, and baseball at Unionville High School and was named Unionville High School Athlete of the Year in 1978. He continued playing baseball competitively well into adulthood, including with the Pitman Sox during their 2009 Men's Senior Baseball League Fall Classic Championship in Jupiter, Florida. His accomplishments on the baseball field were later recognized with his induction into the Kennett Square Old...

Read the full obituary

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/14/2026

Antoinette Matsimouna, age 92, passed away on August 8, 2026, at UNC Rex Hospital,
surrounded by loved ones.
She was born on January 1, 1934, in the Republic of Congo to David Mandala and Kilolo
Pauline. She was raised alongside her younger sister, Anne Lousakou and younger brother,
Etienne Kinouani.
She married Jean Malonga, and they were married for 20 years before he unexpectedly died.
She was the mother of one daughter, Germaine Nzitoukoulou Mpongo.
In summer of 2007, Antoinette moved from the Republic of Congo to the United States, where
she settled in Cary, North Carolina, to be close to her daughter and grandchildren.
She was a loving grandmother to four grandchildren—Nolia (Twenty), Matondo (Alex), Yenge
(Fany), and Kiese (Sam)—and seven great-grandchildren—Abbigail, Christey, Bryson, Makai,
Janelle, Chastel, and Malik—with one on the way.
She enjoyed gardening, attending church, reading her Bible, spending time with her family, and
watching soap operas.She will be remembered for her strong and unwavering faith, her humor, and her love of God and family.
She is survived by her daughter, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild on the way.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jean Malonga.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 6011
McCrimmon Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and all who knew her.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/12/2026

Janet Faye Hardin Carpenter, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

She was born on February 28th, 1940 to her parents Sarah Elizabeth Lovett and Chalmers Hardin. She grew up in the community of Carpenter and graduated from Apex High School. Janet was defined by her unwavering love for Jesus and her incredible compassion for children, especially her nieces and nephews. She found community in the church her entire life; most recently she has been a faithful member of Moncure Baptist Church.

She is survived by her sister Minaree Hardin Veasey, her half-siblings Donna Hardin Martin and Richard Clark Hardin, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Clara Hardin, her brother Floyd Hardin, her half siblings Gail Hardin and Kent Hardin, and her former husband Arthur Lee Carpenter. Despite having no children of her own, she will be remembered as a grandmotherly figure to many.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Apex Cemetery, Apex, NC.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/07/2026

Aglaia Maria Ciortin, 92, passed away on August 6, 2026, at her home.

Born on May 12, 1934, in Romania, Aglaia lived a long and full life.

Everyone knew my mother as Pusa. She was an extraordinarily warm, kind, and unique spirit.
She lived a life defined by unwavering devotion to those she held dear, even during the hardest of times.
Without her, the house seems empty, and my heart is broken.
I know that she is in a much better place, but my life will never be the same without her.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wake Memorial Park Chapel, 7002 Green Hope School Rd., Cary, NC 27519.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM, also at Wake Memorial Park Chapel.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/06/2026

Share Memories and Support the Family.