1942
Regina
2024
Regina 'Gina' Pender
January 1, 1942 — December 25, 2024
Regina 'Gina' Pender, 82, of Canyon, passed away on December 25, 2024. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 3, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Umbarger with Father Alvin Tshuma as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. A vigil will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
Gina was born on January 1, 1942 in Houston to Frank and Elizabeth (Cross) Cronan. She graduated from Irvin High School in El Paso in 1960 and married Charles Edwin 'Bud' Pender in Houston on August 29, 1964. They moved to Umbarger and were married for almost 60 years before he preceded her in death on March 22, 2024.
After raising her family, Gina returned to school and received her Bachelor of Education from West Texas State University (now WTAMU) in 1991. She taught at Aikman Elementary School in Hereford for 16 years and had an immense love for her students and coworkers.
Gina was a devout Catholic and a longtime devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Umbarger where she and Bud served tea and coffee at the sausage festival for many years. She was also a member of Christian Mothers, the Legion of Mary, and The Order of St. Benedict, fervently serving her church in any way she could.
In every way, she was the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, dedicated to ministering those who were poor or less fortunate, and she embraced those who followed Christ, eagerly working with them to spread the love of Jesus. She freely gave of her time, resources, and love and never knew a stranger, easily striking up a conversation with anyone she met. Therefore, there was always room for one more at her table. Gina loved everyone and was lovingly devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren. She was the originator of 'Cousin's Camp,' but over the years, that grew to include most everyone. She will be forever remembered by those who knew and loved her for her warm and endearing smile that radiated from her heart.
Gina is also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Colleen Whaling, and a brother, Patrick Cronan.
Survivors include six children, Sam Pender of Amarillo, Regina 'Nini' Kern and husband, Francis of Forrest City, AR, Bridget Gervasi and husband, Terry of Amarillo, Meridith Preston and husband, Scott of Arlington, TN, Jamie Pender of Arlington, TN, and David Pender of Amarillo; 12 grandchildren, Jacob Kern, Lauren Smith, Caitlin 'Cricket' Graham, Seth Kern, London Wilson, Azzan Wilson, Nick Gervasi, Anna Marie Chaffin, Dylan Chaffin, Elijah Preston, Madelyn Preston, and Emily Gross; 5 great grandchildren; and a brother, Michael Cronan and wife, Merilyn of Houston.
The family would like to send a very special heartfelt thank you to Brookdale Sleepy Hollow, Enhabit Hospice, and to Father Alvin Tshuma for their exceptional care and love of Gina.
Memorials may be sent to St. Mary's Christian Mothers, PO Box 105, Umbarger, TX 79091.
Gina was born on January 1, 1942 in Houston to Frank and Elizabeth (Cross) Cronan. She graduated from Irvin High School in El Paso in 1960 and married Charles Edwin 'Bud' Pender in Houston on August 29, 1964. They moved to Umbarger and were married for almost 60 years before he preceded her in death on March 22, 2024.
After raising her family, Gina returned to school and received her Bachelor of Education from West Texas State University (now WTAMU) in 1991. She taught at Aikman Elementary School in Hereford for 16 years and had an immense love for her students and coworkers.
Gina was a devout Catholic and a longtime devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Umbarger where she and Bud served tea and coffee at the sausage festival for many years. She was also a member of Christian Mothers, the Legion of Mary, and The Order of St. Benedict, fervently serving her church in any way she could.
In every way, she was the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, dedicated to ministering those who were poor or less fortunate, and she embraced those who followed Christ, eagerly working with them to spread the love of Jesus. She freely gave of her time, resources, and love and never knew a stranger, easily striking up a conversation with anyone she met. Therefore, there was always room for one more at her table. Gina loved everyone and was lovingly devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren. She was the originator of 'Cousin's Camp,' but over the years, that grew to include most everyone. She will be forever remembered by those who knew and loved her for her warm and endearing smile that radiated from her heart.
Gina is also preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Colleen Whaling, and a brother, Patrick Cronan.
Survivors include six children, Sam Pender of Amarillo, Regina 'Nini' Kern and husband, Francis of Forrest City, AR, Bridget Gervasi and husband, Terry of Amarillo, Meridith Preston and husband, Scott of Arlington, TN, Jamie Pender of Arlington, TN, and David Pender of Amarillo; 12 grandchildren, Jacob Kern, Lauren Smith, Caitlin 'Cricket' Graham, Seth Kern, London Wilson, Azzan Wilson, Nick Gervasi, Anna Marie Chaffin, Dylan Chaffin, Elijah Preston, Madelyn Preston, and Emily Gross; 5 great grandchildren; and a brother, Michael Cronan and wife, Merilyn of Houston.
The family would like to send a very special heartfelt thank you to Brookdale Sleepy Hollow, Enhabit Hospice, and to Father Alvin Tshuma for their exceptional care and love of Gina.
Memorials may be sent to St. Mary's Christian Mothers, PO Box 105, Umbarger, TX 79091.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Regina 'Gina' Pender, please visit our flower store.
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St. Mary's Catholic Church
A vigil will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
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