Lorena Medina, Santa Ana High School graduate, inspired many during her cancer battle

Lorena and Ernie Medina with their children Jaycob and Celeste. (Photos courtesy Medina family).

Lorena Medina, a Santa Ana High graduate and the wife of Northwood High School plant supervisor Ernie Medina, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer, her husband of almost 20 years said Thursday.

Lorena Medina died at the age of 45 after being hospitalized. She was born in Santa Ana Oct. 25, 1976 and graduated from Santa Ana High School (where she played softball, volleyball and basketball) in 1995.

“She inspired many people by the way she carried herself during her cancer struggle and her faith in God,”  said Ernie Medina, a former University High football and baseball player. “Her passion for Jesus Christ was unbelievable. She always spread the word of our man above.”

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She also established a non-profit group that helps other cancer victims and provides care packages for those who need to have chemotheraphy.

Even while battling cancer, Lorena Medina was always there to support others battling the disease and remained active in the lives of the couple’s two children, Celeste (16) and Jaycob (11).

“She always lived life to fullest. Even during her battles, she never let it stop her from traveling to watch her daughter play out of state tournaments like in Arizona and Utah,” Ernie Medina said.

Lorena Medina enjoyed watching Celeste, a junior at Norco, play softball and members of the freshman softball team honored her last spring, showing their support before a game near Mother’s Day weekend.

“It’s a blessing because it’s another year that God has blessed me with,” she said in the interview with OC Sports Zone.

She added that her two children are “the main focus of my life and one of the reasons why I fight as hard as I do. I love my husband, but they’re the reasons why I fight. Chemo days were never easy, some were good and some were bad, but I always knew I had to get up and stand on my feet and do what I had to do as a mother. To me being a mother was more important than the fight I was in.”

“She would never complain and she took everything in stride and always put her faith in God,” Ernie Medina added.

The Irvine community, including coaches and teachers at Northwood and University, has been among those who supported Lorena Medina and Ernie Medina during tough times and after Lorena’s death. Many remarked on social media about her fight and spirit and willingness to help others facing similar challenges.

“Lori was the strongest in her beliefs in the Lord,” said Chris Conlin, former University baseball coach and assistant football coach who coached Ernie Medina. “Throughout her battle, she continued to mentor and support other patients. When my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, she brought Pam a cancer survival bag.

“She was determined that the disease would never have a negative effect on her and her families’ spirit.”

Lorena Medina earned her degree at Cal State Fullerton and then joined Tustin Unified School District before leaving to earn her Master’s Degree at CSUF. She later started a daycare program, which she ran up until days before her death, Ernie Medina said. Ernie Medina said she positively affected the lives of numerous young people and their parents.

She is survived by her parents Manuel and Margarita Garcia, brothers Victor, Joey, Ricky and Armando Garcia and a sister, Rosie Garcia.

A GoFundMe account has been established under the name of Ernesto Medina to help the family with expenses.

Ernie Medina and others expect Lori Medina’s legacy to continue and many will still remember her positive influence and the advice she offered those battling cancer.

“I Just tell them this is my journey and if I’m able to survive it four or five times, so are you,” she said in the May 2020 interview. “I always try and look at the positive side of things regardless of how bad the situation is.”

SERVICES

Lorena Medina’s services are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 22 at noon at New Beginnings Church, 1769 Western Ave., Norco 92860.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com