Clementina Salinas Pena

Clementina S. Peña, a beloved mother, grandmother, and devoted woman of faith, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, leaving behind a lifetime of love, strength, resilience, and devotion to her family.

Born on March 24, 1935, Clementina dedicated much of her life to caring for others. She worked as a care provider for the elderly, a role that reflected the compassion and dedication she carried throughout her life. She continued working until approximately the age of 87, demonstrating the remarkable strength and determination that those who knew her will always remember.

Clementina was a woman deeply devoted to her family. No matter what life brought her way, she remained there for her children and grandchildren, always willing to help whenever she could. Her love was often expressed through the little things: checking on those she cared for, making sure her family was taken care of, and giving whatever she could so that the people she loved would never be without.

She had a generous heart and a particular fondness for giving to her loved ones. Clementina loved money and enjoyed spending it, but perhaps she enjoyed giving it away even more. If someone she loved was in need, she wanted to help. Her generosity was one of the many ways she showed her family how deeply she cared for them.

She also had a love for the beautiful and the nostalgic. She admired Victorian-era furniture and decorations, antiques, and sculptures. She enjoyed Mexican polkas and took great interest in her family’s history and heritage. And, of course, she had a sweet tooth—especially for lemon meringue pie, Almond Joys, and butter cookies.

Above all, Clementina was a woman of unwavering Catholic faith. She placed her trust in God and frequently turned to La Virgen de Guadalupe during times of need, finding comfort and strength in her faith throughout her life.

To her grandchildren, Clementina was more than a grandmother. She was a source of love, guidance, generosity, and protection. She delighted in doting on her grandchildren and took great joy in seeing them cared for and provided for. Her love was steadfast, and her devotion to her family never wavered.

Clementina was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jose V. Peña, and her daughter, Celina Martinez.

She leaves behind her daughters, Chriszelda Rodriguez and husband Pete, and Veronica Hilpert; her son, Javier Peña and wife Gertrude; her grandson, Javier Peña Jr., whom she lovingly adopted and raised; and her many grandchildren, along with countless other relatives and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness and generosity.

Her family will remember Clementina for her resilience, her strength, her faith, her generosity, and above all, the love she gave so freely.

Though she is no longer with us in her home, the love she gave her family remains. Her stories, traditions, faith, laughter, and memories will continue through the generations she leaves behind.

May she rest peacefully in the loving arms of God, reunited with those who went before her.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Memorial Service

A private memorial service for Clementina will be held at Funeraria del Angel Corpus Christi. Additional service details will be shared with family and loved ones.”

Here is the prayer.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ,

You who are the Resurrection and the Life,

I bring you my grandmother, Clementina S. Peña.

You knew her in the rooms she made beautiful-

the Victorian dark wood, the sculptures, the paintings,

the antiques she kept as if time itself could be held gently in the hands.

You knew her at the table: the smell of coffee,

the steam of a good caldo,

the way she talked about family and the old stories

as if the dead were still sitting just out of sight, listening.

Most of all, You knew the way she doted on me

and on her grandchildren —

that fierce, ordinary tenderness

that never asked to be praised.

If this is the hour You have appointed for her to come home,

let it be a gentle hour.

Take from her all fear.

Loosen every pain.

Forgive whatever still waits to be forgiven.

Wash her in the mercy You poured out from the Cross.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

stand beside her as you stood beside Your Son.

Do not let her pass this threshold alone.

Saint Joseph,

patron of a happy death,

take her hand.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.

Jesus, I trust in You.

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world

in the name of God the Father who created you,

in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you,

in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you.

May the house she kept so carefully

open onto a better one.

May every story she told be gathered up and made whole.

May the love she poured into her grandchildren

meet her now, face to face, and not be lost.

May the angels lead her into paradise.

May the martyrs come to welcome her

and take her to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.”