Minerva C Pina

Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother Minerva Pina went to be with her Savior Jesus on September 1, 2014. She was 90 years old. The daughter of Manuel and Maria (Menchaca) Castaneda, Minerva was born February 5, 1924 in Muzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico.
She married Ricardo Luna Pina. He predeceased her on March 31, 1961. She was baptized at the First United Pentecostal Church in Saginaw Michigan by Reverend Paul Fleetwood. Minerva was strong, creative, a visionary and a woman ahead of her time. She loved music, art, dancing, singing and spending time outdoors gardening. She enjoyed ministering to family and her community. Minerva had a passion for children and was active in the arts as a choreographer, dance instructor, craft class instructor and in children's theater. While living in Saginaw she worked with children at the First Ward Community Center, Union Civica and the Kiwanis Club in Saginaw. She was also instrumental in the Cinco de Mayo parades taking on building a beautiful swan float in Saginaw. Miverva also wrote and illustrated several children's stories. Minerva was a student at Delta College, graduated from beauty college and owned and operated the Artizan Beauty Salon in Midland for six years.
In 1976 she moved to Texas where she was a student at San Antonio College and attended El Buen Pastor Assembly of God Church. While living in San Antonio Texas she taught dance classes and worked in the daycare at House of Neighborly Service. She was a teacher's aide for young children at the First Presbyterian Church . She also worked as a home care provider through Memorial Home Healthcare.
Minerva became a citizen of United States of America in 1989. She returned to Midland in 1999 where she resided at Cleveland Manor and attended Christian Celebration Center. She loved being able to support ministries including Paralyzed Veterans of America, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, St. Joseph's Indian School in South Dakota, World Vision and Boys Town in Nebraska.
Surviving are five daughters, one son and their spouses, Minerva Lopez of Bay City, Margo and Don Emmons of Austin, Texas, Rosie and Victor Carbo of San Antonio, Texas, Graciela and Rick Inman of Midland, Michigan, George and Amy Pina of Midland, Michigan, Christina and Joseph Smith of Midland, Michigan; one brother and his wife, Gilbert and Mary Castaneda of Saginaw, Michigan; two sisters-in-law, Nicolasa Salazar of Peoria, Illinois and Gloria Castaneda of Saginaw, Michigan; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Minerva was preceded in death by two brothers, Pete Castaneda-Salazar and George Castaneda.
Minerva's family would like to give thanks to Hospice and the Tony and Trish House for the excellent care they provided.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Toni and Trish House. PO Box 125 Auburn, MI 48611. www.toniandtrishhouse.org

Visitation: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries
Service Plans: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries