Obituary of NENITA ARCENAL PRIETO

Retired US Army Veteran Nenita Prieto, also known as “Nitz” and to many as “Auntie Ning”, passed peacefully alongside family and friends on Sunday, March 24 in Marina, CA at the age of 61. 
Nenita was born on December 3, 1957 in the Philippines to Meliton and Felicidad Prieto. She was the youngest of 8 siblings. She joined the Army and worked as a Chaplain’s Assistant. After serving 7 years in the Army, Nitz was medically discharged and later held roles at the Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, Salinas Social Security Administration, and Marina Post Office.   
She was a generous and kind individual who loved hosting family events and was passionate about the well-being of others. She was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Filipino America Community Club of Monterey Peninsula, and St Jude Catholic Parish. 
A celebration of her life is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 at St Jude Catholic Parish in Marina, CA with a gathering to follow for friends and relatives. Father Jeronimo Marcelo will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Nenita's life.  
The family would like to thank CHOMP’s M.D.s and Nurses, Hospice of Central Coast, and Social Worker Jinny Meyers. They would like to give a special thank you to Nurse Bianca for all her efforts and care to Auntie Ning.

To her request, no formal funeral will be held locally. Nenita will be flown to her homeland of the Philippines where she will be laid to rest. 

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I’m Free 
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. 
I’m following the path God has chosen for me. I took his hand when I heard him call; 
I turned my back and left it all. 
I could not stay another day, 
To laugh, to love, to work or play. 
Tasks left undone must stay that way; 
I’ve now found peace at the end of the day. 
If my parting has left a void, 
Then fill it with remembered joys. 
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; 
Oh yes, these things, I too will miss. 
Be not burdened with times of sorrow 
Look for the sunshine of tomorrow. 
My life’s been full, I savored much; 
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seems all too brief; 
Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief. Lift up your heart and peace to thee, 
God wanted me now – He set me free.