She was born Giovanna Teresa Orecchia in Alameda, Calif. Street Address: 2262 San Jose Ave.
Her Parents were from the Piemonte region of Italy
Parents :
*Giuseppe Orecchia of Castello di Annone, Italy
*Louisa Grana of Castello di Annone, Italy
Maternal Grandparents:
*Stefano Grana, 1854-1929
*Giovanna Bergamasco, 1861-1949
Paternal Grandparents:
*Giovanni Battista Orecchia, 1844-1924
*Teresa Rossi, 1851-1896
She had one sibling, her twin brother, Giovanni Battista Orecchia, later known as John B. Orecchia
During her school years she used her middle name of Teresa, as an adult she used Nina which is an Italian nickname for Giovanna.
She grew up in San Mateo, CA where her father Giuseppe was a shoemaker and ran his own shop. Her father passed away at the age of 34 when Nina was only 5 years old.
Her mother kept the family in San Mateo and later co-owned a bakery where Nina and her brother John, after school, worked along with their mother. At first the twins wrapped bread for the delivery drivers and later Nina worked in the front selling fresh baked breads and pastry with her mother. During these times Nina used her middle name of Teresa. Aunt Nina would recount that it was easier using Teresa which sounded more American than Giovanna.
Their's was a tight knit family in San Mateo with many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. And these were the tough Depression Times of the 1930's.
In 1929 Nina, John and Mother traveled to Italy to visit the family in the hometown of Castello di Annone. Nina's Nonna Giovanna Grana, was still alive but her Nonno Stefano Grana had died a short time before they arrived in Italy. The Orecchia Grand Parents had passed away years before. However, there were quite a few uncles,aunts, and cousins still living in d'Annone and Nina and John got to meet and spend time with them.
Nina and John were very fluent in Italian and it was quite a treat for them. They stayed for 6 months and Nina wanted to stay longer.
In the 1930's Nina met her future husband at a family get together in San Mateo. Fred Pene had come up from Los Angeles to visit his cousin Pina Orecchia who was married to Nina's Uncle Jerome Orecchia. They liked each other from the first day they met. Fred was a dashing, good looking guy and a gentleman. The long distance romance lasted for a few months and they then tied the knot in 1939.
The Marriage took place at San Mateo on July 30,1939. Best man was Joseph Campanella and maid of honor was Nina's cousin, Josephine Orecchia.
In 1943 they had their only child, Norman John Pene.
In the early years they lived in San Jose.
They later moved to Redwood City for a few years while they co-owned (with John Orecchia) the "Top Hat" bar on El Camino.
Around 1954 the family and Nonna moved to Los Altos, Calif. And they lived there for many years.
In her senior years Nina's mother Louisa moved in with Nina and the family. Nina took very good care of her mother and she lived with them for the rest of her life.
During these years Nina and Freddy owned several businesses and in 1966 they purchased the "Manor Bottle Shop" in San Mateo, on 25th Ave. When Freddy passed away in 1968, Nina continued to run the business with her son Norman as manager. Nina's brother John was also very involved in helping her and Norman run the store. John would work there on Tuesdays so Norman could have one day off a week. John did that from 1968 till Nina sold the business.
They stayed in business there till the early 80s.
After selling the store Nina and Norman retired.
(PHOTOS)
To the RH side I have loaded some photos, there are more that you don't see, so please click on the link and all of them will open up and there is a discription for each one.
(OBITUARY)
Below, is the obituary published in the May 8, 2010 San Jose Mercury News:
Nina O. Pene, resident of Redwood City, passed away peacefully in Redwood City on May 4, 2010 at the age of 97. Nina was born July 24, 1912 in Alameda, CA and was a longtime liquor store owner in San Mateo. Loving wife of the late Frederick Pene (1968). Cherished mother of the late Norman Pene (2008). Devoted aunt of Joseph T. (Lavinia) Orecchia of Union City and Thomas F. (Isabel) Orecchia of Stockton. Dear great aunt of William T. (Terry) Orecchia of Hayward. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:00 am at Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City with burial following at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto. Crippen&Flynn Woodside Chapel. 650-369-4103. www.crippenflynn.com.
Rest in Peace,
From your nephew, Joe Orecchia
Her Parents were from the Piemonte region of Italy
Parents :
*Giuseppe Orecchia of Castello di Annone, Italy
*Louisa Grana of Castello di Annone, Italy
Maternal Grandparents:
*Stefano Grana, 1854-1929
*Giovanna Bergamasco, 1861-1949
Paternal Grandparents:
*Giovanni Battista Orecchia, 1844-1924
*Teresa Rossi, 1851-1896
She had one sibling, her twin brother, Giovanni Battista Orecchia, later known as John B. Orecchia
During her school years she used her middle name of Teresa, as an adult she used Nina which is an Italian nickname for Giovanna.
She grew up in San Mateo, CA where her father Giuseppe was a shoemaker and ran his own shop. Her father passed away at the age of 34 when Nina was only 5 years old.
Her mother kept the family in San Mateo and later co-owned a bakery where Nina and her brother John, after school, worked along with their mother. At first the twins wrapped bread for the delivery drivers and later Nina worked in the front selling fresh baked breads and pastry with her mother. During these times Nina used her middle name of Teresa. Aunt Nina would recount that it was easier using Teresa which sounded more American than Giovanna.
Their's was a tight knit family in San Mateo with many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. And these were the tough Depression Times of the 1930's.
In 1929 Nina, John and Mother traveled to Italy to visit the family in the hometown of Castello di Annone. Nina's Nonna Giovanna Grana, was still alive but her Nonno Stefano Grana had died a short time before they arrived in Italy. The Orecchia Grand Parents had passed away years before. However, there were quite a few uncles,aunts, and cousins still living in d'Annone and Nina and John got to meet and spend time with them.
Nina and John were very fluent in Italian and it was quite a treat for them. They stayed for 6 months and Nina wanted to stay longer.
In the 1930's Nina met her future husband at a family get together in San Mateo. Fred Pene had come up from Los Angeles to visit his cousin Pina Orecchia who was married to Nina's Uncle Jerome Orecchia. They liked each other from the first day they met. Fred was a dashing, good looking guy and a gentleman. The long distance romance lasted for a few months and they then tied the knot in 1939.
The Marriage took place at San Mateo on July 30,1939. Best man was Joseph Campanella and maid of honor was Nina's cousin, Josephine Orecchia.
In 1943 they had their only child, Norman John Pene.
In the early years they lived in San Jose.
They later moved to Redwood City for a few years while they co-owned (with John Orecchia) the "Top Hat" bar on El Camino.
Around 1954 the family and Nonna moved to Los Altos, Calif. And they lived there for many years.
In her senior years Nina's mother Louisa moved in with Nina and the family. Nina took very good care of her mother and she lived with them for the rest of her life.
During these years Nina and Freddy owned several businesses and in 1966 they purchased the "Manor Bottle Shop" in San Mateo, on 25th Ave. When Freddy passed away in 1968, Nina continued to run the business with her son Norman as manager. Nina's brother John was also very involved in helping her and Norman run the store. John would work there on Tuesdays so Norman could have one day off a week. John did that from 1968 till Nina sold the business.
They stayed in business there till the early 80s.
After selling the store Nina and Norman retired.
(PHOTOS)
To the RH side I have loaded some photos, there are more that you don't see, so please click on the link and all of them will open up and there is a discription for each one.
(OBITUARY)
Below, is the obituary published in the May 8, 2010 San Jose Mercury News:
Nina O. Pene, resident of Redwood City, passed away peacefully in Redwood City on May 4, 2010 at the age of 97. Nina was born July 24, 1912 in Alameda, CA and was a longtime liquor store owner in San Mateo. Loving wife of the late Frederick Pene (1968). Cherished mother of the late Norman Pene (2008). Devoted aunt of Joseph T. (Lavinia) Orecchia of Union City and Thomas F. (Isabel) Orecchia of Stockton. Dear great aunt of William T. (Terry) Orecchia of Hayward. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:00 am at Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City with burial following at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto. Crippen&Flynn Woodside Chapel. 650-369-4103. www.crippenflynn.com.
Rest in Peace,
From your nephew, Joe Orecchia
She was born Giovanna Teresa Orecchia in Alameda, Calif. Street Address: 2262 San Jose Ave.
Her Parents were from the Piemonte region of Italy
Parents :
*Giuseppe Orecchia of Castello di Annone, Italy
*Louisa Grana of Castello di Annone, Italy
Maternal Grandparents:
*Stefano Grana, 1854-1929
*Giovanna Bergamasco, 1861-1949
Paternal Grandparents:
*Giovanni Battista Orecchia, 1844-1924
*Teresa Rossi, 1851-1896
She had one sibling, her twin brother, Giovanni Battista Orecchia, later known as John B. Orecchia
During her school years she used her middle name of Teresa, as an adult she used Nina which is an Italian nickname for Giovanna.
She grew up in San Mateo, CA where her father Giuseppe was a shoemaker and ran his own shop. Her father passed away at the age of 34 when Nina was only 5 years old.
Her mother kept the family in San Mateo and later co-owned a bakery where Nina and her brother John, after school, worked along with their mother. At first the twins wrapped bread for the delivery drivers and later Nina worked in the front selling fresh baked breads and pastry with her mother. During these times Nina used her middle name of Teresa. Aunt Nina would recount that it was easier using Teresa which sounded more American than Giovanna.
Their's was a tight knit family in San Mateo with many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. And these were the tough Depression Times of the 1930's.
In 1929 Nina, John and Mother traveled to Italy to visit the family in the hometown of Castello di Annone. Nina's Nonna Giovanna Grana, was still alive but her Nonno Stefano Grana had died a short time before they arrived in Italy. The Orecchia Grand Parents had passed away years before. However, there were quite a few uncles,aunts, and cousins still living in d'Annone and Nina and John got to meet and spend time with them.
Nina and John were very fluent in Italian and it was quite a treat for them. They stayed for 6 months and Nina wanted to stay longer.
In the 1930's Nina met her future husband at a family get together in San Mateo. Fred Pene had come up from Los Angeles to visit his cousin Pina Orecchia who was married to Nina's Uncle Jerome Orecchia. They liked each other from the first day they met. Fred was a dashing, good looking guy and a gentleman. The long distance romance lasted for a few months and they then tied the knot in 1939.
The Marriage took place at San Mateo on July 30,1939. Best man was Joseph Campanella and maid of honor was Nina's cousin, Josephine Orecchia.
In 1943 they had their only child, Norman John Pene.
In the early years they lived in San Jose.
They later moved to Redwood City for a few years while they co-owned (with John Orecchia) the "Top Hat" bar on El Camino.
Around 1954 the family and Nonna moved to Los Altos, Calif. And they lived there for many years.
In her senior years Nina's mother Louisa moved in with Nina and the family. Nina took very good care of her mother and she lived with them for the rest of her life.
During these years Nina and Freddy owned several businesses and in 1966 they purchased the "Manor Bottle Shop" in San Mateo, on 25th Ave. When Freddy passed away in 1968, Nina continued to run the business with her son Norman as manager. Nina's brother John was also very involved in helping her and Norman run the store. John would work there on Tuesdays so Norman could have one day off a week. John did that from 1968 till Nina sold the business.
They stayed in business there till the early 80s.
After selling the store Nina and Norman retired.
(PHOTOS)
To the RH side I have loaded some photos, there are more that you don't see, so please click on the link and all of them will open up and there is a discription for each one.
(OBITUARY)
Below, is the obituary published in the May 8, 2010 San Jose Mercury News:
Nina O. Pene, resident of Redwood City, passed away peacefully in Redwood City on May 4, 2010 at the age of 97. Nina was born July 24, 1912 in Alameda, CA and was a longtime liquor store owner in San Mateo. Loving wife of the late Frederick Pene (1968). Cherished mother of the late Norman Pene (2008). Devoted aunt of Joseph T. (Lavinia) Orecchia of Union City and Thomas F. (Isabel) Orecchia of Stockton. Dear great aunt of William T. (Terry) Orecchia of Hayward. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:00 am at Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City with burial following at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto. Crippen&Flynn Woodside Chapel. 650-369-4103. www.crippenflynn.com.
Rest in Peace,
From your nephew, Joe Orecchia
Her Parents were from the Piemonte region of Italy
Parents :
*Giuseppe Orecchia of Castello di Annone, Italy
*Louisa Grana of Castello di Annone, Italy
Maternal Grandparents:
*Stefano Grana, 1854-1929
*Giovanna Bergamasco, 1861-1949
Paternal Grandparents:
*Giovanni Battista Orecchia, 1844-1924
*Teresa Rossi, 1851-1896
She had one sibling, her twin brother, Giovanni Battista Orecchia, later known as John B. Orecchia
During her school years she used her middle name of Teresa, as an adult she used Nina which is an Italian nickname for Giovanna.
She grew up in San Mateo, CA where her father Giuseppe was a shoemaker and ran his own shop. Her father passed away at the age of 34 when Nina was only 5 years old.
Her mother kept the family in San Mateo and later co-owned a bakery where Nina and her brother John, after school, worked along with their mother. At first the twins wrapped bread for the delivery drivers and later Nina worked in the front selling fresh baked breads and pastry with her mother. During these times Nina used her middle name of Teresa. Aunt Nina would recount that it was easier using Teresa which sounded more American than Giovanna.
Their's was a tight knit family in San Mateo with many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. And these were the tough Depression Times of the 1930's.
In 1929 Nina, John and Mother traveled to Italy to visit the family in the hometown of Castello di Annone. Nina's Nonna Giovanna Grana, was still alive but her Nonno Stefano Grana had died a short time before they arrived in Italy. The Orecchia Grand Parents had passed away years before. However, there were quite a few uncles,aunts, and cousins still living in d'Annone and Nina and John got to meet and spend time with them.
Nina and John were very fluent in Italian and it was quite a treat for them. They stayed for 6 months and Nina wanted to stay longer.
In the 1930's Nina met her future husband at a family get together in San Mateo. Fred Pene had come up from Los Angeles to visit his cousin Pina Orecchia who was married to Nina's Uncle Jerome Orecchia. They liked each other from the first day they met. Fred was a dashing, good looking guy and a gentleman. The long distance romance lasted for a few months and they then tied the knot in 1939.
The Marriage took place at San Mateo on July 30,1939. Best man was Joseph Campanella and maid of honor was Nina's cousin, Josephine Orecchia.
In 1943 they had their only child, Norman John Pene.
In the early years they lived in San Jose.
They later moved to Redwood City for a few years while they co-owned (with John Orecchia) the "Top Hat" bar on El Camino.
Around 1954 the family and Nonna moved to Los Altos, Calif. And they lived there for many years.
In her senior years Nina's mother Louisa moved in with Nina and the family. Nina took very good care of her mother and she lived with them for the rest of her life.
During these years Nina and Freddy owned several businesses and in 1966 they purchased the "Manor Bottle Shop" in San Mateo, on 25th Ave. When Freddy passed away in 1968, Nina continued to run the business with her son Norman as manager. Nina's brother John was also very involved in helping her and Norman run the store. John would work there on Tuesdays so Norman could have one day off a week. John did that from 1968 till Nina sold the business.
They stayed in business there till the early 80s.
After selling the store Nina and Norman retired.
(PHOTOS)
To the RH side I have loaded some photos, there are more that you don't see, so please click on the link and all of them will open up and there is a discription for each one.
(OBITUARY)
Below, is the obituary published in the May 8, 2010 San Jose Mercury News:
Nina O. Pene, resident of Redwood City, passed away peacefully in Redwood City on May 4, 2010 at the age of 97. Nina was born July 24, 1912 in Alameda, CA and was a longtime liquor store owner in San Mateo. Loving wife of the late Frederick Pene (1968). Cherished mother of the late Norman Pene (2008). Devoted aunt of Joseph T. (Lavinia) Orecchia of Union City and Thomas F. (Isabel) Orecchia of Stockton. Dear great aunt of William T. (Terry) Orecchia of Hayward. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:00 am at Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City with burial following at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto. Crippen&Flynn Woodside Chapel. 650-369-4103. www.crippenflynn.com.
Rest in Peace,
From your nephew, Joe Orecchia
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