Nena Rodriguez Flores

Flores, Nena Rodriguez

late of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on November 3, 2025, at the hospital following a stroke. Nena was born on April 12, 1933, in Cebu City, Philippines. She worked in fashion retail for many years, but her proudest and most cherished role was that of a mother. Nena married Benjamin M. Flores in 1958, and together they welcomed eight children. After Benjamin passed in 1991, she welcomed six granddaughters, all of whom she loved unconditionally. Despite a difficult childhood, Nena grew into adulthood with a joyful, beaming spirit. Her warm smile and sunny disposition reflected her ability to find good in the world and to appreciate the blessings that came her way. Nena moved herself and her seven, very young children from Manila, Philippines, 9,000 miles away to Hartford, Connecticut, where they reunited with her husband, Benjamin, who had gone ahead to prepare a life for the family. Without nannies or outside help, she chauffeured seven boisterous sons and a cherished daughter in a faux wood-paneled Ford Country Squire station wagon-a challenge that would have tested Job. After Benjamin's passing, Nena devoted herself to her children, ensuring their safety and teaching them the values that would keep them grounded and faithful. Nena was known for her kindness, strength of character, and her natural ability to make friends and earn admirers wherever she went. She loved singing in the church choir and attending church events. She loved hunting for overlooked treasures in thrift stores, always emerging with something unexpected, and her sense of style was simply unparalleled. She also savored food with a gratitude shaped by her experiences during The Great Depression and World War II. She lived her final years in Las Vegas, under the loving care of her son, Ben-Simon, who helped bring forth an active lifestyle and the joy that had lived in her heart and for which she will be forever remembered. Nena is survived by her children: Jesus-Benjamin Flores, his wife, Anita Flores, Ben-Hur Flores, Benedict Flores, Ben-Simon Flores, Ben Maria Flores, Benedikte Flores Ansell and her husband, Dr. David Ansell, and Francis Benjamin Flores and his wife, Melia Flores; her granddaughters, Nina Flores, Thora (John) Ansell Kingsley, Zoe (Elias) Fernandez Ansell, Phillipa Flores, Paxton Flores, and Parker Flores; her great-grandchildren, John Henry, Briar Emerson and Truman David Kingsley; her sisters, Alice Paulino and Lolita (Don) Smith; her sister-in-law, Adelaida Caoile Flores; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin M. Flores; her son, Ben John Flores; her sister, Lydia Capada; her brother Rudy Capada; her brothers-in-law, Carlos Paulino, Anacleto Flores, Ansing Flores, Louis Flores, Noy Garcia; her sisters-in-law, Gloria Flores Garcia, Alice Flores, Rosario Cruel Flores; and her nieces and nephews, Maria Christina Flores, Olivia Paulino, Gail Garcia, Tommy Flores, Dickey Flores, Miko Flores, Joey Flores, Chuck Flores, Joseph Paulino, and Gino Paulino.

Nena's Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10:30 am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Nena's parish, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, in honor of the beloved Nena R. Flores and Benjamin M. Flores. Donations may be sent to St. Lawrence Catholic Church at: www.osvhub.com/stlawrencetampa/giving/funds or the parish can be reached at 813-875-4040 or contact@stlawrence.org.

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