Stella Prenni

PRENNI, STELLA Age 88, a lifetime Albuquerque resident, went to rest with her Lord on Saturday, June 28, 2014. She is survived by her children, Emily Blea and husband, Gary, Linda Wilson, David Prenni and wife, Debbie, Pete Prenni Jr, Esther Ciocca and husband, Gilbert, and Elsie Ashbaugh; daughter-in-law, Mildred Weller; grandchildren, Thomas Benjamine Christiansen IV and wife, Melissa, Greg Blea, Ryann Prenni and fiancé, Andrew Winter, Lauren Prenni, Christy Bramlett and husband, James, Nicole Hunter and husband, Shawn, Mark Prenni and wife, Ann, Joseph Ciocca and wife, Sharon, Bill Ciocca and wife, Michelle, Angela Foley and husband, Kevin, Mark Ciocca and wife, Kelly, Vince Ciocca and wife, Holly, Richard Ashbaugh Sr. and wife, Angelina, Carol Okopal and husband, Tom, and Marcy Cindric and husband, David; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; and siblings, Mary Wildman and husband, Robert "Buzz", Rupert Castillo and wife, Carol, Lydia Guevara and husband, Moses. Stella was preceded in death by her husbands, John Chavez in 1963 and Pete Prenni in 1986; and siblings, Carmen Gutierrez, Ernest Castillo, Avilo Castillo, Victor Castillo, Tony Castillo, Frank Castillo and Felix Castillo. She was born in 1926 in Albuquerque to Francisco and Maria Sanchez Castillo. Stella enjoyed her childhood in the historic Barelas Community on Manuel Street where her father's home still stands on the grounds of the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Stella was the best Mom anyone could ever have. She was proud of raising her brothers and sisters. Stella was a mother and grandmother to many. She enjoyed a lifetime of Christian service to her community, church, and family. She was a member of the Valley Garden Club serving as secretary and treasurer for over fifteen years, working on various landscape projects throughout Albuquerque. Stella drove a school bus for twenty-five years for the Herrera Bus Company where she watched over and loved every student climbing into her bus. Stella was a member of the Palo Duro Senior Center where the sewing club made quilts and pillows for Cuidando los Ninos. She served fifteen years as Community Services Director for the Rio Grande Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church where her passion to help those in need was fulfilled, including sewing quilts for every new mother. She was a member of Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church at the time of her death. Stella enjoyed yearly summer vacations in PA. In retirement she vacationed to Hawaii, Washington D.C., Richmond, VA, Lake Havasau, AZ and Las Vegas, NV. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her family would like to extend gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Lucas Casul of PACE/Innovage for his genuine love and professional care shown to their mother for her last seven years. Friends may visit FRENCH- University Wednesday, July 2, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014, 10:00 a.m., at the Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4920 Wyoming Blvd. NE with interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Benjamin Christiansen IV, Greg Blea, Robert Wildman, Christy Bramlett, Nicole Hunter, and Lauren Prenni. Honorary pallbearers will be Rupert Castillo, Gary Blea, Steve Castillo and Ryann Prenni. FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333