Wanda Pauline Souza

January 18, 1934 (Missouri)- July 3rd, 2023 (Pacific Grove, California)

Wanda Souza, 89, of Pacific Grove, California passed away on the evening of Monday, July 3rd, 2023. A service honoring Wanda will be held on Friday, July 14th, at 11:00 at The Paul Mortuary; 390 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA. Reception to follow the service.

Wanda was born to Jesse and Paul Anderson in Chestnutridge Missouri on January 18th, 1934. The family, like many others during that time, headed west in the early 1940’s. They settled in Elk Grove, California where they found work and a home on a vineyard; and Wanda, along with her beloved cousins Velma, Leon, and Donald spent their childhood among family and the vines.

Wanda graduated from Elk Grove High School and moved with her parents to Modesto in the early 1950’s. Wanda continued to be blessed by the support of family and enjoyed a wonderful relationship with her parents as she began her adult life in Modesto; especially her mother, who she lived with for a number of years later in life.

Family remained a focal point of Wanda’s life, surrounded by her aunts, uncles, and cousins. She

maintained a treasured relationship with her Aunt Ermal. The two shared a love of, among other things, gardening and the card game Rook; traditions that Wanda’s family continues to cherish and enjoy.

Wanda met her husband, Allen Leon Bishop, when she was working as a carhop. The couple welcomed two daughters, Sandra (1954) and Terry (1956) before Allen’s death in 1959. After her husbands death, Wanda went to work for the Unemployment office, later renamed the State of California EDD, to support her young family.

Wanda gave over 30 years of service to the state as a manager for the EDD. She was later introduced, by friends, to Frank Louis Souza whom she married, and the couple welcomed son Anthony (1961).

Wanda’s life was enriched by her three main passions, reading, travel and family. Sharing these passions with her grandchildren became her greatest joy. She traveled throughout the state, the country and the globe; but a trip to the local library with her grandkids held as much of a thrill as a trip to Europe.

Wanda moved to Pacific Grove in 2006 and spent the last 17 years enjoying the Monterey Peninsula’s cooler temperatures, breathtaking views, and local wildlife (a great deal of which she could observe right from her own deck).

Wanda is survived by: three children; Sandra Bishop, Terry Bishop Peterson (SIL, Kerry), and Anthony Souza (DIL, Theresa); four grandchildren; Colin McIllece, Chelsea Martin, Chloe Edson, and Allison Personius; and seven great grandchildren; Scarlett, Rose, and Peter Martin, Naomi and Levi Edson, and Riley and Logan Personius.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Monterey County Free Libraries.

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