Nena’s mother Brigida Mari was a popular and accomplished midwife in their home region of Labangon and her father Clemente Villaluz was a soldier who died while Nena was still young. Nena was the youngest of 9 children: Valentin, Teodoro, Carolina, Florencio, Lucia, Pilar, Segundino, Primitiva, and then Saturnina “Nena”.
She was the beloved matriarch of her large close-knit family, married to Graciano “Gasing” Abella Lauron, Esq. for 37 years before his death on May 6, 1980. In spite of societal and cultural norms of the time, Nena earned her Master of Arts in Education in Science Teaching from Cebu Normal College in the Philippines with the full support and love of her husband and growing family. She then went on to have a fulfilling career as an educator for nearly 30 years. She served as a Principal for several elementary and high schools in the Philippines and last taught at Holy Innocents School in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her move to the United States from the Philippines created an opportunity for her children to soon follow her.
After retirement, she moved to Texas where her educator's passion served her community. In 2002, Nena was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Literacy by the City of Mesquite. She also served in various officer roles for the Filipino American Senior Citizen Association of the Dallas Metroplex, Families for Christ, Filipino/American Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas, and Evans Senior Center in Mesquite.
Nena remained loyal to the memory of her late husband Graciano long after his passing and was deeply impacted by the unexpected death of her daughter Nelly in 1997, who was a nurse, mother, and wife.
Whether it was playing the upright Bass with her ensemble called the Executive 8 (comprised of 8 couples who were former executives in the Philippines), travelling around the world including Catholic pilgrimage sites, enjoying and advocating for the perfect peanut butter sandwich or savoring a warm cup of coffee, Nena enjoyed her life. She loved a good party and an even better dance partner.
Nena had a deep and devout Catholic faith that grounded her, leading her family in prayer and attendance at Sunday Mass. Her presence will always be felt by her family: when playing Mahjong at gatherings, in cooking her signature fried chicken and “bola bola” dishes, on Christmas and remembering the elaborate programming she produced and starred in, and through the values she instilled. Most of all, she will be remembered fondly for her expressive "Tiger Eyes" that would instantly command obedience among her young grandchildren.
She is survived by 6 children and 5 children-in-law: Erlinda “Linda” Pepito, Graciano “Junior” Lauron (Bernadette), Janus Lauron (Delia), Faith Ceniza (Jun), Doris Tabios (Dante), Lohengrin “Wing” Lauron, and Lourdes Lacson as well as 20 loving grandchildren, their spouses, and 24 great-grandchildren who will all sorely miss her.
She was preceded in death by her husband Graciano, daughter Nelly Foisset, and son-in-law Emmanuel “Bebs” Pepito.
In dying you are born into Eternal Life.
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