Saturnina “Nena” Monares Abao, born June 4, 1933, in Cabatuan, Iloilo, Philippines, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025.

Nena lived a life grounded in faith, family, and service to others. From a young age, she felt a strong calling to care for people — a calling she fulfilled through a long and dedicated nursing career. She graduated in 1956 from St. Paul University, Iloilo, and began her professional life as a Registered Nurse in the Philippines. Her pioneering spirit created opportunities across countries and continents, and her nursing career allowed her to explore opportunities beyond the Philippines.

After working as a registered nurse in the Philippines, Nena received an opportunity to practice in the United States, where she held roles at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and later at hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. In the mid-1960s, she returned to the Philippines and continued her nursing work in Manila.

During this time, she met Bienvenido (Ben) Yamit Abao, and after a short courtship, they were married. Together, they built a life centered on love, faith, and family. They welcomed two daughters, Judy Lynn Monares Abao (1966) and Gigi Ann Monares Abao (1971), and instilled in them the values of humility, service, and devotion to family.

In 1968, Nena, Ben, and Judy moved permanently to the United States. Nena continued serving others through nursing, dedicating decades of her life to compassionate care throughout Los Angeles County, including at LA County General and Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Her nursing career spanned from early adulthood through 2001, a testament to her commitment, resilience, and quiet strength. During her career and into her retirement, she kept her adventurous spirit with traveling around the US, Mexico, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

Above all, Nena was deeply devoted to her family. She took great joy in being a Nana and Lola to her six grandchildren, celebrating each of their milestones and accomplishments with pride and love. As a natural provider and caregiver, she ensured that everyone around her — family, extended family, and friends — was healthy, well-fed, and cared for.

Nena’s resilience was evident in all aspects of her life. As she worked to establish her family in the United States, she also battled and overcame breast cancer twice, doing so with courage, grace, and her trademark smile — always putting the well-being of others before her own.

Nena is survived by her daughter, Gigi Abao Collatos, and her husband, Anthony Collatos, and their children, Maeva Collatos, Gabriela Collatos, and Kai Collatos. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Laurel Munn, Jacqueline Munn, and Patricia Munn, children of her late daughter Judy Abao Munn, and her son-in-law, Michael Munn. She is also survived by her sisters, Teresa Dormitorio and Wenefreda Monares.

She is reunited in eternal rest with her husband Bienvenido Yamit Abao and her daughter Judy Abao Munn, who preceded her in death.

Nena will be remembered for her resilience, quiet strength, unwavering faith, and deep devotion to her family. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched as a mother, grandmother, nurse, friend, and faithful servant of God. May she rest in eternal peace, and may perpetual light shine upon her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help end breast cancer.