Irene Pena (nee Sotelo), passed away in Hollister, Ca., after a lengthy illness, with her family by her side.

Irene was born at home and raised on a farm in Gilroy. She was the daughter to the late Juan F. and Gavina Sotelo and was the 10th child of 13 children.

She attended Elliot and Brownell schools, graduating from Gilroy High School in 1963. Irene worked for Simonson's labs in Gilroy for 35+ years where she moved up in rank with her last job being a supervisor. She and her husband Herman moved from Gilroy to Los Banos in 2003 and has lived there for the past 19 years.

Irene was an avid football and baseball fan and followed the San Francisco 49ers and Giants. She also enjoyed going to Friday night bingo at the Veteran's Hall in Gilroy and Sunday afternoon bingo at the Live Oak Emerald Regine in Morgan Hill. She'll sometimes change it up and go to bingo in San Jose and Santa Clara. She also enjoyed watching classic movies from the 1930s and 1940s in her spare time along with spending time with her grandchildren.

Irene is preceded in death by her husband, Herman Pena, who passed away in 2012, and siblings Hortencia Chaigres, Eleanor Viscarra, John Sotelo Jr., Margaret Reyes, Joseph Sotelo, and Salvador Sotelo. She is survived by her remaining five siblings, Ruben Sotelo, Mario Sotelo, Jesse Sotelo, Elisa Polanco, and Alma Sill, her two children, Jimmy John Pena and Aleeza Pena, son-in-law, Jeffrey Long, granddaughters Naydeen Pena, Jenna and Jacey Long, and grandson Samuel Castillo Jr.. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Irene was cared for by her granddaughter and faithful companion Naydeen, along with her sister Alma, during the last three years before her passing.

Irene was laid to rest next to her husband Herman at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA, on October 14, 2022.