Nena Abella

Dr. Nena Breis Abella was born on January 25, 1934, in the small barrio of Tabiguian, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines, where she grew up surrounded by hills, coconut plantations, rivers, and rice fields. She experienced the hardships of World War II and learned the value of perseverance from a young age, walking miles to school and helping her family with the difficult work of everyday life. Through determination and her father's support, she pursued her education and became a dentist. In 1957, with her characteristic boldness, she challenged the man who would become her husband, Joel Abella to marry her if he truly loved her—and three days later, they were married. Together they built a loving family, raised three children (Abel, Guillermo, and Melanie), practiced dentistry, served their community, and remained devoted to their faith. In 1975, Nena immigrated to the United States, where she courageously started over, working long hours in clinics and hospitals and eventually retiring after a long career. After her husband's passing in 2002, she remained active in her community and later spent her final years living with her grandchildren, Adolfo and Nathali Tavera. She was surrounded and cared for by Melanie’s grandchildren during her final days. Nena will be remembered for her strength, independence, faith, humor, stubborn spirit, hard work, and unwavering devotion to her family.