Mrs. Lena Paez Villanueva

Lena Villanueva went to our Lord on January 4, 2018. She was born in Denver, Colorado in 1934 and was raised in both Los Angeles and Stockton, California. She married Mike Moreno and together they had seven children. Independently she raised all seven children. Following a divorce she happily remarried Frank Villanueva with whom she has been married 32 years. Lena is survived by her husband Frank Villanueva, 4 siblings Roberto Paez, Jess Paez, Christina Perez and Priscilla Garcia, 7 natural children Rosemarie (Tonatiuh) Elizondo, Betty Moreno Vallery, Michael (Elizabeth) Moreno, Debbie (Frank) Martin, Josephine Moreno & Paul Stucky, Felicia (Bryant) Morrison, and Marian (Greg) Lindo, 4 step children Bertha (Robert) Morones, Frank Villanueva Jr., Delia Marquez, and Anita (Butch) Grounds, 32 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Lena lived a long life reaching 83 years of age. She worked 20 years for the General Services Administration located at Rough and Ready Island. In retirement, she tirelessly cared for grandchildren that brought her great joy. Lena was a family person and took great pride in her many children and their families. Lena enjoyed sewing and was the official family seamstress. Some of her favorite past times involved dominos and ping pong where she frequently won. Frank and Lena enjoyed traveling, visiting Hawaii, New York City, Boston and Santa Fe as some of their favorites. She and Frank hosted many family parties, luaus, and commencement celebrations over their many years together. Services for Lena include a public viewing on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 4-6 pm at De Young Memorial Chapel, 601 N California Street, Stockton, CA followed by a Rosary at 6pm at the same location. On Tuesday, January 16, all are welcome to attend Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of Annunciation beginning at 10am at 400 W. Rose Street, Stockton, CA. A Committal will immediately follow the Mass at the Stockton Rural Cemetery located north of the Catholic Cemetery, at 2350 Cemetery Lane, Stockton, CA. Finally, please join the family for lunch and music to celebrate Lena’s life on the same day after burial at the American Legion Hall located at 2020 Plymouth Rd, Stockton, CA 95204 beginning at 1:30 pm. The family has also set up a donation site in Memory of Lena Villanueva with the Haggin Musuem which will dedicate a bench in her honor. Please reference donation in Memory of Lena Villanueva at www.https://hagginmuseum.org/MakeaDonation. The family invites Lena’s friends and family members to share their sentiments and photos at www.deyoungchapels.com.