The Story

Brenda Ortiz, known affectionately by most as “Nina”, passed away in San Leandro, California, on Saturday, December 19, 2015.

Brenda was born in Oakland, California, to Mathilda Bays and Robert Cameron, on July 29, 1954. One year later, she was blessed with a sister named Debbie. Debbie was unable to say “Brenda” when she began talking, so she called her sister “Nina”…and the name stuck. Brenda had one daughter named Jennie Mathilda Ortiz. Although she devoted her life to Jennie, she was truly everyone’s “Nina”, and has lovingly been considered a second mother to many. Nina absolutely loved children, and spent the last 27 years of her life as a childcare provider. She helped raise not only her extended family, such as her daughter’s half-sisters, but also many children she protected and cherished in her care as her own. In addition to remembering Nina as the caring and selfless individual that she was, many will remember her amazing and sculpted calves which she was regularly complimented on. She would proudly tell people that they were the result of the constant squatting she did daily as a child care provider; squatting to wipe one child's nose, squatting again to tie another's shoe.

Brenda is survived by her daughter, Jennie; Jennie’s 3 half-sisters, Julia, Angela and Natalie; her father Robert; mother-in-law Theresa; sister Debbie; brother Mac; nephew Jesse; niece Teresa; great nephew Cole; great niece Sophia; great niece Emily; great nephew Joseph; niece Christie; niece Sharon; nephew JJ; great nephews Junior and Anthony; great niece Sophia; grand dogs Tasha and Molly, and grand cats Mr. Sniffles and buddy.

Brenda’s life was celebrated by her family at a private party on Saturday, Jan. 2nd.