Cover photo for Eduarda G. Pena's Obituary
Eduarda G. Pena Profile Photo
1934 Eduarda 2023

Eduarda G. Pena

May 18, 1934 — December 5, 2023

NEWPORT –Eduarda G. Pena went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 5, 2023 at age 89. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Town of Norway Church (Norway Historical Society, 1067 Newport Gray Road, Newport, NY) on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 12 noon.

She was an adored wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her three children, Eduardo, Fernando, and Laura, as well as her husband Julio Mojica, her sister Manuela, and her beloved grandchildren Theodore, Tanina, Kyle, Samantha, Gabriella, Caleb, and Zadok, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Eduarda was born in Seville, Spain, where she began her career as a nurse with a mobile medical team that provided free medical care to impoverished families around the country. She bravely chose to move to a picturesque, yet remote area of Herkimer County, and in 1977 purchased land in the Town of Norway originally settled by Jeremiah Potter. Until her retirement, she worked as an RN and Treatment Team Leader in the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center in Utica where she provided compassionate care to her patients for many years, frequently going on home visits to check each person’s recovery and progress, and often bringing wrapped gifts that were received with much joy. After retiring, she served as a volunteer tutor with the West Canada School system. She also volunteered at the Community Coop of Little Falls and was a longtime supporter of the Town of Norway Historical Society.

She was best known for her creativity, warmth of spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and generosity. A small sign in her home reads “Insanity is hereditary–you get it from your children.” She was an avid oil painter and created a large and beautiful collection of oils on canvas. She immensely enjoyed listening to the reading of Scripture and songs of worship. One of her favorite sayings was, “Keep holding on to Jesus.”

Eduarda G. Pena is fondly remembered by the many people she touched with her compassion and generosity. Prior to moving to Herkimer County, she served as a mental health nurse in New York City. She developed a reputation for her kindness and sincerity. On one notable occasion, she successfully prevented a disgruntled patient from attacking co-workers by bravely facing the would-be attacker squarely and demanding he put down his weapon. She helped numerous patients at the clinic by diligently searching for and successfully treating root causes. Never shying away from difficult issues, she opened her home and held “Rap Sessions” with struggling teens. The sessions gave kids of diverse backgrounds a venue for safely and calmly discussing issues they faced to find positive solutions. At a time when gangs were on the rise because of different cultures, the Rap Sessions helped many not to fall into the gang trap.

Eduarda’s compassion, kindness, courage, and generosity will be warmly remembered by her family, friends, former colleagues, and neighbors.


Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. Ps 25:5

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Ps. 23:3

Her arrangements have been entrusted to Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 823-2424.

“Deseamos de corazón que descanse en paz.”
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eduarda G. Pena, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Friday, January 13, 2023

Starts at 12:00 pm

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Town of Norway Church (Norway Historical Society)

1067 Newport-Gray Road, Newport, NY 13416

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