On behalf of the family, we are honored to share the following:

Rena M. Noghera McClellan, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on September 12, 2024.  She was born December 2, 1934, in Greenfield, California, to Italian immigrant parents, Louis and Valentina Noghera.  Rena was a very kind, generous, quiet woman, and a loving caregiver to her family.  She loved her family very much, especially her husband, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters and their spouses.  She will forever be missed.

Rena's childhood years were spent in Gonzales, California. Her parents ran the Gonzales Family Grocery store, where she grew up learning the value of hard work.  Her faith was strong with the Lord, while she attended St. Theodore's Catholic Church in her youth. While growing up she attended elementary school in Gonzales and graduated from Gonzales Union High School in 1952. She then furthered her education by attending Hartnell Junior College, pursuing a career in the medical field as a medical transcriber for over 40 years until her retirement. She met the love of her life and married Richard W. McClellan, on August 25, 1956.  Four years later they became parents to a baby girl, Stephanie, in 1960.

Rena and Richard enjoyed traveling with the church, attending many Navy reunions, and family excursions. It brought a twinkle to her eye when her daughter Stephanie married into a local farming family of the Salinas Valley in 1981 by gaining a son-in-law.  It was a blessing to her when she became a Nana to her two granddaughters.  She was very supportive of her granddaughters' activities from 4-H to their athletics, but what brought her the most joy was when both granddaughters found the love of their lives and married their husbands, bringing two more amazing men into her life.

Rena enjoyed partaking in many hobbies, but her favorites were spending time outdoors while she was gardening, tending to her trumpet vine and succulent garden, watching the hummingbirds, and feeding her quail. She adored her scenic trips to the ocean taking in the sights and sounds. She had a love for all animals. She loved her dog Sandy, cats Sam and Samantha and the wildlife (deer, turkeys, mountain lions) that would venture through the property. She enjoyed cooking, reading, word searches, collecting chicken figurines, and she loved her San Francisco Giants and 49ers.  She also took great pride in sharing her Italian heritage at family gatherings and with friends.

She was an active member in her community and a member of the Soledad Native Daughters of the Golden West, Eastern Star, a Campfire Girl leader, a leader for the San Benancio 4-H Club, a member of the Cursillo movement, a charter member of the Salinas Valley Heritage Foundation, and a supporter of King City Mustang Bench.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard, and her sister Rosie Noghera French.  She is survived by her loving daughter Stephanie (John) Domingos III, granddaughters Christine (Ross) Luna, Lauren (Michael) Page, brother Jim (Vera) Noghera, nieces Diane (Rick) Lotenero, Debbie French, Jennifer (Charlie) McGarity, nephews Armond (Nicole) French, Cody (Elizabeth) Noghera and numerous great nieces and nephews.  She will be lovingly remembered by all of us as a sister, wonderful wife, a loving mother, grandmother, Zia, and "Nana" to many.

Our family was blessed with the tender care received by our hospice support staff, caregivers and prayers from all of you.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice, Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Mission Soledad), or any charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. Rosary at 4:00p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Struve & Laporte Chapel, 41 West San Luis St., Salinas, CA. 93901.

Funeral services will take place at 1:00p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the Struve & Laporte Chapel, 41 West San Luis St., Salinas, CA. 93901.

Entombment to follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, 850 Abbott St., Salinas, CA. 93901