Anna Mae Elola

Anna Elola, born in 1949 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to August and Edith Piskel, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in Merced, California.
The second of six children, Anna lived in various locations across the United States before settling in Fremont, California, where she graduated from Washington High School. She furthered her education at San Jose State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and married Steven Elola.
In 1969, Anna began her dedicated career at Washington Hospital in the engineering department. She subsequently transitioned to Human Resources and later served as a secretary for the Director of Volunteers. Anna was promoted to the Directorship, a position she held for 23 years, during which time she also served as President of the Northern California Directors of Volunteers. After 43 years of exemplary service, Anna retired from Washington Hospital.
A proud mother of a U.S. Marine, Anna actively contributed to her community through her role as a CCD teacher and as the Director of Cheerleading for Corpus Christi Church in Niles. As a devoted mother to James and Vanessa, she enthusiastically supported them in countless basketball games and sporting events, always serving as their number one fan, despite not being a sports enthusiast herself.
Following her retirement, Anna embraced her most cherished role as "Nana" to her grandchildren, Nolan and Emma. She relocated to Merced, California, to be closer to them and was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where she enjoyed taking her grandchildren to Mass and sharing donuts afterward.
Anna is preceded in death by her parents, August and Edith Piskel. She was survived by her son, James Elola; daughter, Vanessa Hauser; son-in-law, David Hauser; her beloved grandchildren, Nolan and Emma Hauser; daughter-in-law, Eryn Elola; her three sisters, Donna Ayres (Richard Ayres), Edie Schaffhausen (Joe Schaffhausen), Laura Lattrez (Steve Lattrez), and two brothers, Jim Piskel (Carol Piskel) and Joe Piskel (Paula Piskel), along with numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those who wish to honor Anna consider having a Mass intention said in her name. They would appreciate it if you could share this information with the family.
A memorial service and ice cream reception in her honor will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 1:30 PM at the Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels, located at 40842 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538.