COLERAIN – Lena Frances Northcott, age 78, of Colerain passed away on January 11, 2015 at the Vidant Medical Center of Greenville, NC.

She was born on September 27, 1936 to Anthony Sortino and Louise Baker in Brooklyn, NY. Lena worked many different jobs starting as a telephone operator, working in the dietary department in a hospital, and later retiring after many years as a sales clerk for Belk. She was known to her family and friends as being outgoing, never meeting a stranger. Lena loved to cook, as well as enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in sports. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, John Sortino, and sister, Antoinette Cobb.

Lena is survived by her husband of 53 years, Thomas Northcott; three sons, Tommy Northcott of Colerain, Joe and his wife Sandy Northcott of Ahoskie, and David and his wife Pam Northcott of Colerain; her daughter, Lynette  and her husband Rev. Preston Jernigan of Colerain; five granddaughters, Micheala and her husband Neal Brinkley of Ahoskie, Anna and her husband Michael Cseko of Greenville, Meredith Jernigan of Lynchburg, VA, Kimberly Northcott of Greenville, and Mandy Pierce of Windsor; three grandsons, Paul Northcott of Colerain, Matt Pierce of Windsor, and Mason and his wife Holly Pierce of Merry Hill; along with a brother, Sal Sortino of Colerain.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2015, from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel, Ahoskie, NC.

A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Mars Hill Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mike Willard officiating, with burial to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Colerain, NC, weather permitting.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Trap Volunteer Fire Department, 744 Morris Ford Road, Colerain, NC 27924.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Northcott family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.