Neldoris (Nel) Pinza, resident of San Jose 85 years. Our dear mother Nel was born in Easton, MA on April 16, 1921 and moved with her parents and siblings to California at the age of 2. The Owen Family settled in San Jose where mom attended Hester Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High and graduated from San Jose High School class of 1939. On September 24, 1939 she married the love of her life, Ambrose Pinza. During her life, Nel loved golf, needlework, sewing, oil painting, gardening and homemaking. She volunteered with Cub Scouts, Campfire Girls and church youth groups. In later years Nel enjoyed line dancing and participating in dramas at the Southside Community Center and The Willows Senior Center. Her husband Ambrose Pinza precedes her in death. She is survived by her children Pat Passarelli (Anthony) and Ernest Pinza (Linda), grand children Krista Patterson (Mike), Gina Reed (Phil), Anthony Passarelli (Angela), Paul Pinza (Rhee), Craig Pinza (Kelly) and Dina Pinza and 9 great grand children: Jacob, Cole and Alis Patterson, Nicolas and Cameron Reed, Sophia and Joseph Passarelli, Donovan Pinza and Emma Pinza. Nel is also survived by her brother Les Owen (Katy) and sister Ella DePonzi, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and their families. Visitation on Sunday, Dec 26 from 1 - 3 pm, Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow Street, San Jose. A Memorial Service on Monday, Dec 27th 10 am, St Francis Episcopal Church, 1205 Pine Avenue, San Jose. A private burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 39899 Balentine Drive, Suite 161 Newark, CA 94560. www.vitascharityfund.org.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on December 24, 2010.