PHELEITA ADELINE PORTER "PENNY" NOPEL

1915 - 2012

PHELEITA "PENNY" ADELINE PORTER NOPEL

12/8/1915 - 5/2/2012

Pheleita was born to Samuel Andrew Porter and Emma Leola Steel Porter in Winslow, CA, near today's Elk Creek. The family lived in Elk Creek then moved to Stony Ford where she and her brothers, Sylvan, Fayne and Wilfie went to school. In 1927 the family moved to Ord Bend where they had purchased a farm. Penny graduated from Hamilton Union High School in June 1933, where she was a life member of California Scholarship Federation, Senior Class President and played baseball. She then attended Chico State College for two years on an art scholarship.

In 1935, Penny moved to San Francisco and went to work for Proctor and Gamble. She also was a hand and glove model for the Emporium in SF. During this time, she and her favorite aunt, Irene Pearl Steel, traveled within California, the highlight being a trip to Catalina Island and Hollywood. In the summer of 1938, she moved to Berkeley, where she was introduced to her future husband, John H. Nopel. They were engaged in 1939, and then married on August 18, 1940 in the Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church. Their marriage partnership held true until his death in 2006.

Shortly after marrying, Penny and John lived in Chico and then returned to the Bay Area for employment. Their first two children, Janet and David were born during their time in Alameda. Their third child, Robert was born after Penny and John moved back to Chico in 1946. In the years that followed, Penny dedicated herself to the raising of her children and maintaining her household.

She was active in various organizations such as PTA and school activities, Boy Scouts, PEO, Chico Antique Club, Butte County Historical Society, Las Senoras, Bidwell Mansion Association, Paradise Genealogical Society and Daughters of the American Revolution. Penny did extensive research on her family's history and was proud to be a 10th generation Porter in America. Her strongest commitment was to the Bidwell Presbyterian Church. She served as an elder, taught Sunday school for thirty years and was active in the Women's Christian Organization.

Pheleita was preceded in death by her three brothers and her husband, John.

She is survived by her three children, Janet Moore, David Nopel (Betty), and Robert Nopel. Also surviving her are three granddaughters, Cynthia Moore, Julie Moore (Robert Allan) and Allison Herbert (Scott), and two great-grandsons, Adam Moore and Ryan Moore. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The Nopel family wishes to give a special thanks and acknowledgment to Butte Home Health and Hospice. They gave kindness, help and support during Pheleita's last weeks.

A memorial service will be held for Pheleita at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Bidwell Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service, downstairs in the church.

In lieu of flowers, please send any contributions to Bidwell Mansion Association, Butte County Library/ Chico or Bidwell Presbyterian Church/Memorial Window, in care of Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home.

You may share your thoughts and memories of Penny online at nbcfh.com