Angela Joan Eckols 96, of Granite Bay, California passed gently into eternity on Sunday, July 2, 2023 just 3 weeks shy of her 97th birthday.
Angela (Lee) along with her identical twin, Lucia (Lucy) Jeanette, were born to Dominico Minerva and Damaride Albergo on July 26, 1926 in Manhattan, NY. where she lived until age 15 when her family of 8 moved to The Bronx, NY.

There she met Stanley Penza, whom she married in 1950.  Angela & Stanley were married for 20 years and raised 4 children,  MaryEllen, Steven, Allison & Susan.   In 1956, she & Stanley, along with her siblings & their spouses moved to Fresno, California to be closer to her older sister Mae. Soon all of her family members followed.

In 1975, Angela tragically lost her only son Steven Paul Penza, RM3, US Navy, to a motorcycle accident. Surrounded by her family, the depth of this heartache was something only God would fill.

In 1977, Angela married the love of her life, James L Eckols to whom she was married 28 glorious years until his death in 2003. Jim loved to fish and Angela love to ballroom dance. So Angela learn to fish and Jim learned to dance and together, they enjoyed many hours in a bass boat and on the dance floor!  They explored much of the US in their motor home with Angela making wonderful homemade Italian meals while Jim wrote long descriptive letters that made us feel as though we were there with them.

Angela, affectionately called Mamala, is survived by her daughters, MaryEllen (Mike) of Fresno, Allison (Randy) of Roseville CA & Susan (John) of Tigard OR and by her treasured grandchildren, Stephanie (Lee) , Joshua (Maggie) , Adam (Nikki) & Angela as well as her great grandchildren Timothy, Christopher, Eve, Noah, Payton, Piper, Savannah, & Callie who is on the way!  Aunt Lee  is also survived by many loving  nieces & nephews.

Angela lived her life faithful to what was good, right & true.  She overcame life's hardships with dignity & demonstrated integrity & common sense to her family, all while making it look simple with her fun-loving style, positive spirit, sense of humor & her penchant for breaking out in song at any given moment. Her love for Jesus was fueled by simple trust, a hunger to know more and thankfulness as she took stock in all He did for her & prayed for her family.

There isn't one of us here that will forget their special moments with her.