Irene "Nena" Cantu

Irene “Nena” Cantu was a woman unlike any other. A beautiful and caring spirit, with a feisty sense of humor and unfailing faith, she loved her family deeply, surrounding herself with hundreds of photos of her family. She never felt more at home than when her house was full of family enjoying both time together and her delicious cooking.

Born on June 8, 1936 in Malakoff, TX to Mike Saldaña and Juanita (Jiminez) Saldaña. Nena grew up with two brothers and a sister with whom she maintained a close relationship their entire lives. The Saldañas lived a life of adventure, traveling in a boxcar for the majority of Nena’s childhood for her father’s work until settling in Tye, TX. It was here that she met her beloved husband David “Neto” Cantu working in a restaurant in the late 50’s. Neto enlisted in the Air Force and thought that was the end, but he says “they sent me right back to her,” when he was stationed at Dyess AFB in Tye. They were married in August of 1961. Six years later, Nena and Neto were blessed with their daughter Lisa.

Nena devoted her life and heart to her daughter and husband, and eventually her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nena loved entertaining and cooking for her family, as long as no one else was invading her kitchen. She also loved to keep busy with many different crafts: embroidery, mosaic tiling, decoupage, coloring, and sewing, among many others. She loved living her life with a bit of chance, visiting the casinos, playing the lotto, and the thrill of a scratch off were always fun for her. She also enjoyed cheering on any team playing against Neto’s Cowboys. She loved fiercely, constantly bragging about her loved ones, though she always maintained, “It’s not bragging if you can back it up!”

Nena passed away on July 20, 2021 in her San Antonio home at the age of 85. Though she is gone, her life and legacy of love and family will never be forgotten. She is survived by her husband, David “Neto” Cantu; daughter, Lisa Shields (husband, David); grandchildren, Shannon Watts (wife, Beth), Shayla Womble (husband, Albert), Hunter Shields (wife, Landis); and great grandchildren, Aleena, Dorian, Kianna, and soon-to-be Easton.

Nena was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Juanita Saldaña; siblings, Aurelio Saldaña, Nettie Moreno, and Robert Saldaña; and nephew, Jimmy Moreno. Pallbearers include Shannon Watts, Hunter Shields, Jose Moreno, Aaron Flatt, Christopher Saldaña, and Robert Saldaña Jr.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 30, 2021, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

7:00 PM

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2021

2:00

HILL COUNTRY MEMORIAL GARDENS

11700 STATE HIGHWAY 46

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS