Obituary of Nena Gonda

Onelia ?Nena? A. Gonda, widow of Louis Gonda, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, October 2, 2011 after a long battle with Alzheimer?s disease. Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 6:00p.m. with visitation from 6:30p.m.- 8:30p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Rd. Columbia, SC 29209. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Msgr. Leigh Lehocky at St. Peter?s Catholic Church, 1529 Assembly St., Columbia, SC on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 11:00a.m. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at the home of Maria Smoak after 2:00p.m. on Wednesday. Born on June 13, 1924 in Camaguey, Cuba, she was the daughter of the late Emilio Aguero and Onelia Valdivieso. She was educated in Las Salesianas Catholic schools which began and reinforced her Catholic faith and devotion throughout her life. Nena met her future husband, Louis, when she was 8 and he was 11, and they became childhood sweethearts. Their 61-year story-book marriage is legend among all who knew them; and they were as in love at the renewal of their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary as when they were first married. Nena was known as a consummate and gracious hostess who loved to entertain friends and family. Nena is survived by her children, Luis (Nancy) Gonda, Maria Gonda Smoak, Diana Gonda, Frank (Betty) Gonda, and Rick Gonda; granddaughters, Marcie, Heather and Alannah Gonda, Emilee Smoak and Elizabeth and Angela Gonda; a special son, Steve Smoak and special daughter, Ann Cullum. She was also blessed to have been sent 5 care-giving angels: Patricia Gomez, Lourdes Martinez, Janette Coleman, Debora Heredia and Ruth Craft, who loved and protected her, and kept her as beautifully coiffed and made-up as when she could do it herself. Pallbearers will be John Long, Steve Smoak, Adam Padget, Don Machino, Pablo Heredia, and Dario Heredia. The family would like to express their appreciation to Tri-County Hospice; and to all the loving friends whose care and support sustained us through this most difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer?s Association-SC Chapter, St. Peter?s Catholic Church preservation fund, or Tri County Hospice.