Age 88, passed away peacefully Oct. 1, 2009, following a series of strokes. She was born Feb. 28, 1921 in Morgan Hill, CA to Anna (Linden) Gordon of San Francisco and Michael Gordon of New York City. The family resided in New York City until Bessie was ten, where her father was a partner in his family’s insurance adjusting and accounting firm.
In 1930, the family purchased a prune orchard on Rucker Ave. in Gilroy, where they built a home and began farming.
Bessie grew up there, attending Rucker Elementary and later, Gilroy High school. After graduation she worked as a part-time bookkeeper for Larry Larson Motors in Gilroy, a Packard and Willys dealership in which her father was a partner. She also worked part-time as court clerk for Judge Leon Thomas and as secretary for the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, and during WWII as chief clerk of the rationing board. The three latter jobs were all located in Gilroy’s old City Hall on 6th and Monterey Sts., which still stands today.
She married her sweetheart, Alfred Angelino, in 1945 when he returned from Italy where he was stationed during the latter part of WWII. They eventually settled east of Gilroy and with a home on their prune acreage where she lived until her recent passing.
Bessie always worked side-by side with her family to make a success of the family farming operations, and took great pride in keeping the ranch books for 53 years. She was a very capable, dependable, honest, proper, and thrifty individual with a silly sense of humor. She was modest and unassuming and derived her enjoyment from caring for her family and living a quiet life in her beloved home. She was an excellent cook and regularly baked the most delicious pies and cakes.
In her later years, her love of dancing led her to join Women in Touch’s “Fabulous Flappers” group, where she sometimes performed comedic solos that always delighted audiences.
Bessie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Alfred Angelino; son Richard and daughter-in-law Debby and their son Gordon Angelino; her daughter, Judy (Angelino) Dean and husband Bob and son Jack of Mokelumne Hill, CA; and many nieces and nephews. She will live on in all our hearts and in those of her many friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 4th St., Gilroy, CA. Funeral Service will be Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, at 1:30 P.M. at the above mentioned Funeral Home. Private burial at San Joaquin National Cemetery, Gustine, CA.
