Ernestine Trujillo

January 29, 1942 - November 29, 2023

Ernestine Frances Trujillo passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 29, surrounded by her loving family. Nena, as her family and friends knew her, was born in San Francisco on January 29, 1942, to Guillermo and Marie Ernestine Trujillo.

A Saint Vincent High School graduate, she received her Bachelor’s degree from the all-women Lone Mountain College, and a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. Nena spent her entire career as an educator for the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). First, she was a teacher, and later, an administrator at the Child Development Centers with the Unified School District across the City. Nena was an enthusiastic supporter of the civic arts, and spent many years ushering at the opera, ballet, symphony, and theater. She retired to Sonoma County after spending 37 years dedicated to developing the minds of San Francisco’s youth.

Nena was a devoted sister, aunt, and friend. She is survived by her siblings, Emily (Steve), Estelle, Rafael (Marianne), Lili (Hal); and sister-in-law, Thelma (Rick). She was predeceased by her brother, William (Thelma); and earlier this year, by her sister, Marylouise (Benito). She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and extended family members, John Rodelo (Anita), Leticia Coral, and Jose Luis Diaz.

Nena forged important friendships which she nurtured for her entire life. She was a devout Catholic. Nena’s most significant friendships were developed in high school, college, Bible Study at Saint John of God, and through her various passions. In 2017, Nena led the 50th-anniversary celebration of her parish church, Saint Leo the Great, in Sonoma.

Nena loved reading. In the mid-70’s, she began attending the annual

Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. She was an organizer for the convention when it first came to San Francisco in 1982. Nena was a world traveler and explored countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. She loved sharing these discoveries with her friends and family. One of her favorite trips was to Egypt with her friends and nephew, where she visited ancient sites, the Valley of the Kings, and traveled into the Great Pyramid of Giza.

In retirement, Nena became a docent at the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums. She led tours of the permanent collections and traveling exhibits. She traveled extensively in the United States and visited 49 of the 50 states, where she admired the fine art collections in Bentonville, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and New York City. She also became an amateur ornithologist, marveled at migrating flocks of birds, and always had a pair of binoculars in hand.

A celebration of her life will be held at Saint Leo the Great Church in Sonoma, 601 Agua Caliente Road, Sonoma, Calif. 95476, beginning with a Rosary and then Mass on Saturday, January 6, starting at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow in the Community Room at the Church. All who knew her will deeply miss her boundless energy, love, and kindness.

Please, no flowers. Please refer to the obituary which appears at Legacy.com for information concerning a memorial donation.