Nadine Zapata Bobbitt

Nadine Zapata Bobbitt was born on August 23, 1957 in Dolores Abra, Philippines. She was the first of five children born to Cresencio and Elisa Negranza. Nadine became a citizen of the United States in 1965 at 8 years old. 

Her father was a CPO in the U.S. Navy, so Nadine and her family moved around to several places from San Diego, CA to Japan. Nadine completed her high school education at the Nile C. Kinnick High School in 1976 in Yokosuka, Japan. She enjoyed sports like softball, basketball, and football, but also loved home economics like sewing and cooking. Nadine was a fierce friend and a loving and protective sister. It was also in Japan that Nadine met Willie Bobbitt in 1975. They began dating in March of 1976 and joined in holy matrimony on October 8, 1976. They were married for 49 years, 4 months, and 2 days –a total of 18,022 days. And to this union, four beautiful daughters were born.

 While attending Trinity CME Church for many years prior, Willie, Nadine, and their children officially joined the Trinity CME Church in 1995, where Nadine remained an active member and Stewardess until her passing. 

Nadine was employed by ESC and Pike Township for almost 30 years after retiring in May of 2024. Nadine LOVED her job, and said that “the best part of my job was caring for the children; I loved the children like they were my own.” She said that her best achievements were when children came back to see her when they were in high school, college, adults, and married to remind her that she was their favorite caregiver and to thank her. “I always told them to be good, stay focused, and not let anyone discourage them and their future goals.” 

She loved a challenge and was very competitive in games and sports. She was even competitive with cooking, often saying, “I can make that better.” She could make you laugh with just her laugh alone. If you were blessed enough to know her, then you knew she loved to cook and share her food with her friends and family. She was the best listener and observer which made her the best at guessing “who dunnit” before the end of a mystery/thriller. To know Nadine was not just to know that she was kind and loving but to FEEL it from her. 

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Nadine went to receive her promise and greeted her Savior at the age of 68, surrounded by her family after a three-year long battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tawnie Marie. Nadine leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Willie Bobbitt; daughters, Elisa Couch (Shawn), Angela Ruiz (Miguel), and Lauren Duff (Chauncey); granddaughters, Kailey Crose and Aria Duff; her parents, Cresencio and Elisa Negranza; siblings, Cris Negranza (Donna), Ted Negranza (Carol), Arnel Negranza, and Karen Elliott (Tim); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.