Alberta Rae Renfrow

Alberta Rae Pena Renfrow, a lifelong resident of Hollister, CA passed away peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025, hand in hand with her beloved daughter. Born on October 18, 1942, Clyde and Mary (Beard) Huddle, Alberta was the second of their two daughters. Her older sister Eleanor was given the honor of naming her. The sisters' childhood on Sally Street was idyllic with wonderful parents instilling in them deep rooted values and lessons they would carry forward with grace. Alberta and Eleanor both excelled at piano, a joy they continued to share with each other and their family well into their senior years. Alberta graduated from Hollister High School in 1960 and Salinas Beauty College in 1961. At just 19, she began her career as a hairdresser, a vocation she loved and sustained for more than fifty years. Most of her clientele remained with her for decades, many of them becoming her closest friends. In 1962, she married Jim Nall. Her only daughter Lisa joined the family in 1964, fulfilling Alberta's dream of becoming a mother. Though the marriage ended after a few years, she was always grateful it made her a Mom. With the support of her parents, she spent the next decade raising Lisa on her own, embodying the roles of both parents with extraordinary dedication. She always put her child first in her life. She listened without judgement, offered endless encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, boundless hugs, and most of all unconditional love. She challenged her daughter's potential and wasn't afraid to speak up if she was falling short. In 1976, Alberta became a business owner and opened Sunrise Hair Salon. This would lead her to meeting Arturo Pena, Jr who began frequenting the donut shop next to her salon just for a chance to see her daily. She married Art in 1980 after 3 years of dating. They had 15 wonderful years together sharing the challenge of raising a teenage daughter and along the way enjoying dancing and their love of classic cars. As proud members of Shaker's Car Club and South Valley Corvette Club, they traveled throughout California, showing the 1963 Corvette, that Art lovingly restored as a gift for Alberta- a gift that Lisa and her husband still care for today. Art passed away unexpectedly and suddenly in 1992 leaving Alberta heartbroken. She found herself once again proving her resilience and determination that defined her life.In time, Alberta found love again with long time neighbor and friend Richard Renfrow, and they were married in 1994. Together they shared 19 years together, embracing life's joys and challenges. They enjoyed traveling in their RV, especially to Shady Cove, Oregon where they exchanged vows. They also enjoyed hosting friends and family for barbecues featuring Dick's famous chicken and tri-tip recipes. In the final years of his life, as he faced Alzheimer's, Alberta cared for him with unwavering devotion.For 42 years, Alberta made her home on Palm Street, a home she cherished as it was previously the home of her Aunt and Uncle and then her parents. Her home was steeped in more than eight decades of memories and family history and she always felt privileged to live there. She cherished her neighbors, who truly regarded her as one of their own. Alberta was known in the neighborhood for telling it like it is, and also for her warmth and kindness to others and her humanity towards animals. She beautifully cared for three stray cats from the neighborhood who adopted her and moved into her patio, appreciating the daily feedings and warm bedding. She loved tending to her roses and camellia bushes and making a daily bouquet of fresh cut flowers to enjoy in her home. She found joy in her daily walks around the neighborhood, saying hi and visiting with neighbors and was especially delighted when she would encounter the Fischer girls and receive big hugs from them expressing their love for their "Ms. Berta."She was a devoted fan of our local sports teams, The Giants, 49ers, and Warriors. She enjoyed following her teams on TV or radio, a love she inherited from her Father and later in life nothing was better than watching a game on TV with her Grandsons.Alberta is joyfully reunited in heaven with her parents, grandparents, sister Eleanor, brother-in law Dan, and husbands Arturo and Richard.She leaves behind a legacy of love through her daughter Lisa Sears, and Son in Law Mark Sears; their children, Robert Nall, Catherine Ngo, Adam (Karl) Pettijohn, and Josue Ruiz; and Great Grandson Silas Nall. She is also survived by her cherished niece Jeanette (Darin) Brookman, and their children Seth (Kary) Brookman and Katy (Dillon) Butchee, along with their 4 children- Hadyn, Cash, Boe and Josy. She is further survived by her cousins Charles (Judy) Keyes, Francy (Tony) Rodin and Maggie Nevitt, as well as beloved extended family members of the Pena and Renfrow families. A church service celebrating Alberta's life will be held in early 2026.