Obituary

Dr. Elena h. Cendana, 82, of kanawha city, admired and beloved wife of jun cendana for 59 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on november 10, 2018 at camc memorial hospital, charleston. Wv,.

Elena was born on june 22, 1936 in manila, philippines, daughter of the late dr. Antonio and salud hernandez. Elena had numerous strengths, gifts and talents but devotion to family was her priority. Elena is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, jun cendana, md, her four sons, a. Brett cendana (and wife trish, edd) of morgantown, wv, a. Jay cendana (and wife melissa) of huntington, wv, a. Ray cendana, md (and husband cory) of san francisco, ca, a. Michael cendana (and wife toni) of dallas, tx, her brother amando hernandez (and wife edith) of cross lanes, wv, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother freddie hernandez.

Elena graduated cum laude from the university of st. Thomas in manila with her doctorate of medicine. She completed post-graduate courses in hematology at the university of kansas medical center and cancer chemotherapy and electrocardiography at new york university. Elena started her career in medicine as a rotating intern at st. Peter’s hospital, albany, ny. She then served as a resident of internal medicine at st. Joseph’s hospital, memphis, tn and st. Peter’s hospital, albany, ny. She was also a clinical research fellow in oncology at sinai hospital, baltimore, md. She had her own private practice in internal medicine, in charleston, wv.

Elena was very passionate about her faith and devoted her life to service. She graduated from wheeling jesuit university, wheeling, wv with a masters of arts in applied theology. She served as the choir director and rcia coordinator at saint agnes catholic church in charleston, wv for over 30 years. She was an extra-ordinary minister of holy communion, a member of the religious unity commission at the diocese of wheeling-charleston, and president of the saint agnes pastoral counsel. Elena served as the music worship coordinator for the lutheran-anglican-roman catholic conference. She was also the music worship coordinator of ecumenical scripture workshops for the diocese of wheeling-charleston for over 35 years.

Elena was also involved in many societies and organizations that include the american medical association, west virginia state medical association, kanawha medical society, philippine medical association, national pastoral musician’s association. Elena was a founding member of the tri-state fil-am association of west virginia, kentucky, and ohio, board member of kanawha hospice, president and board member of charleston community music association, founding member of west virginia real estate investor’s association, director of community pastoral care (where she started a university approved program towards a doctor of ministry degree), co-founder and vice president of charleston montessori school, and parent advisory council for kanawha county board of education.

A memorial mass will be held on november 24, 2018 at 11am at st. Agnes catholic church in charleston, wv with father leon alexander as the celebrant. A reception will follow. Friends may gather with family in the church, one hour before the mass.

Elena was generous, kind, and strong. She donated countless hours to helping others. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to st. Agnes catholic church in charleston, wv.

You may send condolences to the family at: www.Barlowbonsall.Com

barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.