On Good Friday, April 18, 2014, Angela Rose Haskins joined in heaven her husband Howard, previous husband William John Shanahan, parents Giovanni and Giulia Ceresa, brothers F. Louis and Mario Ceresa, and infant son William John “Johnny” Shanahan III.
She is survived by her wonderful family: Michael (and partner Micheal Smith), Dennis (and wife Debbie), Kathy, and Timothy, and step children Sue Bulgin and Steven Haskins. Her extended family included numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were the light of her days. And of course her constant and faithful companion Mitzee Sue, her Yorkie.
Angela’s father immigrated from northern Italy and her mother from Navelli in the mountains east of Rome. Her father settled in Yolo where he eventually met Giulia. Before this, he worked as a laborer at construction sites. He served in the U.S. Army and was granted U.S. citizenship. After the war, he returned to construction labor working in Reno, Truckee and other sites, including building railroad trestles in the mountains.
Three months after meeting the shy Giulia, they agreed to marry. Giulia was working as a maid’s helper in a doctor’s home, and spoke little English. Her favorite story was about the time the doctor’s wife handed her a broom and told her to sweep the porch. Giulia thought she said to sweep the “porco” or pig and was very confused. They made a thrifty but wonderful life for their family and left them with many funny and sad stories of life as they knew it in the old country. Angela especially enjoyed these stories and could listen to them forever. She idolized her big brothers and always enjoyed their company.
Born in Sacramento on October 2, 1932 to Italian immigrant parents, Angela graduated from C.K. McClatchy Sr. High School in 1950 where she was a member of the drill team. Following high school, she worked at various jobs around Sacramento, including Kress, Grants, Weinstock-Lubin, Joseph Magnins, Borden’s Dairy ice cream counter, and a hot dog stand where she learned to make grilled cheese sandwiches. She was shy in public but these jobs gave her confidence and people skills, especially her job at Swanson’s Cleaners for which she thanks Louise McCarthy. It was her first person to person job and it was there that she overcame her shyness. Her favorite lunch place was Vic’s Ice Cream Parlor across the street, where she always ordered the fried hot dog with mustard. She worked for the State of California in various agencies including the DMV and EDD Unemployment office.
Angela married William John Shanahan in 1952, and had five children, four of whom survive her. After her divorce in 1971, Angela married Howard Haskins in 1972 and remained married to him until his death in 2003. In 1998 Angela moved to Redding with Howard (and enjoyed summers at their cabin at Lewiston Lake), and returned to Sacramento in 2005 following his death at the encouragement of her family. She relocated to River Park, where she had previously lived with Howard.
Angela beat cancer twice in her life, first ovarian and later colon cancer, though they left their mark on her health.
Angela enjoyed spending time traveling with her husband Howard, camping with her grandchildren, fishing, exploring tiny out of the way towns, and Disneyland. When they stopped camping, they enjoyed their cabin at Lewiston Lake where they could view mountains and wildlife, and where Howard could enjoy his beloved woods and nature.
They had many friends in Sacramento and Redding, and enjoyed varied social activities
She was a supporting member of the Newman Catholic Community, and the Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 45, and Anna’s Ministry, both at St. Mary’s Church, following in the footsteps of her parents who were officers in the ICF.
She loved tomato, mayo and white bread sandwiches, BLTs, country fried steak, fried potatoes and polenta. She even learned to love Thrifty’s black cherry ice cream, which she and Howard stopped for after every one of his cancer chemotherapy sessions.
Her favorite activities included knitting, crocheting, gardening, making greeting cards and other crafts projects, yard sales, thrift shops, and her upholstery class which she attended from 1980 to 1998.
She enjoyed the music of Johnny Mathis and the Rat Pack, especially Frank Sinatra.
She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
She requested that any memorials be gifts to the Sutter Cancer Center in Sacramento to support their research into ovarian and colon cancer.
Arrangements under the direction of Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, Sacramento, CA.
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