Nelia Cynthia Sistena Medeiros

Nelia Sistena Medeiros, a longtime resident of American Canyon, California, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, woman of faith, godmother, banker, real estate professional, and devoted member of her community, passed away on August 27, 2026. She was 67 years old. Nelia was preceded in death by her father, Gualberto Sistena, and her brother, Anthony “Tony” Sistena, as well as other beloved members of her extended family. She is survived by her devout husband, Raymond Medeiros; her loving children, Jessica (Mike), Jared, and Rebecca; and her cherished grandchildren, Mariah, Sofia, Jason, Jaia, Olivia, Nathan, Kaileia, and A. She is also survived by her mother, Remedios Sistena; her siblings, Sylvia Sistena, Cecil Sistena, and Ferdi Sistena; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, godchildren, and dear friends. The devotion Nelia had for her family was rooted in the family that raised her and in a childhood shaped by love, sacrifice, resilience, and service. Born October 11, 1958, in Cavite City, Philippines, Nelia was the daughter of Gualberto and Remedios Sistena. As the daughter of a United States Navy Sailor, her early years were shaped by the demands of Navy life and by the strength of the parents who guided their family through it. In the 1960s, Gualberto’s service with the U.S. Navy brought the Sistena family back and forth between the Philippines and California. Like many military families, they moved as his assignments changed. While Gualberto’s service often took him away to sea, Nelia witnessed firsthand the strength and determination of her mother, Remedios, who cared for their children and held the family together during his absences. Nelia deeply admired her mother for navigating a new life in America as a Filipino immigrant while raising a family and learning a new culture and language. Remedios created stability for her children amid the frequent moves and uncertainties of Navy life, and Nelia never forgot the sacrifices and devotion of both of her parents. Around 1970, the family settled in the American Canyon area, the community Nelia would embrace as her own for much of the rest of her life. As her parents grew older, Nelia was proud to care for them in return. For her, doing so was an expression of gratitude and love for the parents who had devoted themselves to their family. Nelia attended Silverado Middle School, Vintage High School, and Napa Valley College. She went on to establish careers in banking and real estate while raising a family and becoming deeply involved in the life of her community. With Raymond, Nelia built a family of her own. At the center of their lives were their three children, Jessica, Jared, and Rebecca, and, in time, the grandchildren who brought another generation of love and joy into their family. Nelia spent ten years in the banking industry, including six years as a customer service manager, supervising and training others while emphasizing excellent customer service. She later carried that same personal approach into real estate. As a licensed real estate professional, Nelia served clients throughout American Canyon and the surrounding communities, including through Eagle Vines Realty. Together with Raymond, she was also involved for more than 27 years in real estate investment and property management in American Canyon, Vallejo, and Antelope. Nelia understood that real estate was ultimately about people, families, and the places they called home. Her professional philosophy was captured in the words she chose for herself: “Dedicated to Serving You Personally.” That dedication to serving people naturally extended into civic life. Nelia believed deeply in American Canyon and was an early advocate for the city’s incorporation and for thoughtful “smart growth.” Over the decades, she volunteered, served on committees, sponsored organizations, raised funds, and supported causes that strengthened the community she loved. Her involvement included the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Filipino-American Association of American Canyon, Gateway Kiwanis Club of American Canyon, American Canyon Lions Club, American Canyon Citizens for a Town Center, Fourth of July Committee, American Canyon Food Bank, American Canyon Historical Society, American Canyon High School Alliance, and Holy Family Building Fund Committee. She served as a Tail Twister with the Lions Club and was also a Leadership Napa Valley alumna. Nelia was professionally affiliated with NorBAR, the California Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Her broader service included Sons of Italy, the Zimmerman Recovery Fundraiser Committee, and support for the Children of Nairobi through KHOPE. Young people and families held a special place in Nelia’s heart. She served with the Napa Junction PTA and American Canyon High School Alliance, sponsored the American Canyon Patriots football and cheer organization — Go Wolves! — and served for five years as a sponsor chair for American Canyon’s Relay for Life. Nelia also made service a family tradition, involving her own family and having her oldest grandchildren volunteer alongside her at community events and drives. While they weren’t exactly huge fans of volunteering when they were young, they now cherish those memories and the lessons she passed on. Her example influenced some of them to choose careers helping others and continues to inspire them to carry on her legacy of volunteering and service. Her commitment to service also reached far beyond American Canyon. Nelia’s connection to the military community was especially personal. As the daughter of a Navy Sailor, she understood that military service affected entire families, and she remained a longtime donor to the USO. That connection continued through her daughter Rebecca, who joined the USO as a staff member in 2012 and continues that work today. When Rebecca’s USO work took her to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq, Nelia sent care packages for her to distribute to service members. It was characteristic of Nelia to find a practical way to care for people far from home. In this way, service became a thread connecting generations of the family: Gualberto’s years as a U.S. Navy Sailor; Remedios’s strength as a Navy spouse raising their children; Nelia’s journey as a military child and supporter of service members and the USO; and Rebecca’s continuing work with the organization. Nelia’s decades of volunteerism and leadership were recognized by the community she served. She was honored as an American Canyon Parade Grand Marshal and received the 2011 Gateway Award. She was also among the local businesspeople consulted during the development of the City of American Canyon’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. Friends described Nelia as funny, kind, giving, and caring — qualities evident in the many people and causes to which she devoted herself. Underlying so much of Nelia’s life was her faith. She was deeply involved with Holy Family Parish in American Canyon and assisted the parish office for many years, serving as the Registrations and Envelopes lead. Her faith informed the generosity, service, and devotion to family that characterized her life. Her greatest legacy cannot be measured in houses sold, years worked, awards received, committees served, or organizations supported. It is found in the people she loved and who loved her in return. Nelia Sistena Medeiros will be deeply missed, but the love she gave to her family, the faith she lived, the service she offered to others, and the community she helped build will carry her memory forward. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17 from 4- 8 PM. Vigil services will start at 6 PM at Twin Chapels Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 18 at 11 AM at St. Vincent Catholic Church. Burial will follow mass at All Soul’s Cemetery, Vallejo, CA. In Lieu of Flowers: In keeping with Nelia’s wishes and her lifelong spirit of generosity and service, the family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Alpha Pregnancy Clinics, ACTS, the USO, or City of Hope — organizations and causes that reflect the compassion, faith, and care for others that Nelia carried throughout her life.

Nelia Cynthia Sistena Medeiros

October 11, 1958 - August 27, 2026