tvc.dsj.org | May 7, 2019
OBITUARIES
21
Rest in Peace
Lorna Christine Mondora Panelli
L o r n a Pa n e l l i
passed away peace-
f ully at home on
Palm Sunday after
a two-year coura-
geous battle with
colon cancer.
Lorna, a San Jose native, was born
on July 3, 1934, at the old O’Connor
Hospital – the only child of Joe and
Elisa Mondora, immigrant parents
from the Lombardy region of Italy.
Lorna’s father Joe owned and oper-
ated the Fior d’Italia restaurant on
Market and San Augustine Streets,
near the old Courthouse for 42 years.
Joe was famous for his ravioli, which
were enjoyed by many jurors under
the watchful eye of the Court bailiff.
Lorna’s mother Elisa also enjoyed
success as the owner of Elisa’s Fashions
in Yardage, creating the largest fabric
business in the Bay Area. It was this
same spirit of hard work and the inspi-
ration of her parents that Lorna exhib-
ited throughout her life. She attended
Trace Elementary, Herbert Hoover Jr.
High and Lincoln High School. She
went on to San Jose State University
where she obtained her B.A. in food
and nutrition. Following graduation,
she completed an internship at Mas-
sachusetts General Hospital in Boston
where she received her R.D. (Registered
Dietician). She began her career at Santa
Clara County Hospital (now VMC)
in 1956. She later went on to earn her
teaching credential in nutrition and
food service from UC Santa Cruz.
In April of 1955, Lorna met Ed Pan-
elli (then known as Eddie) at a mutual
friend’s wedding. On the way home
from the wedding, Lorna advised her
mother that she was going to marry
the young man she’d just met – and
she did. On October 27, 1956, Ed and
Lorna were married at Saint Leo’s
Catholic Church and began a long
and loving marriage and an incredible
partnership. From the time Ed was a
practicing lawyer, to his twenty-two
years on the Bench, culminating with
his service as a Justice of the Califor-
nia State Supreme Court, they shared
adventures and had an enduring col-
laboration for 62 ½ years. In marrying
a Santa Clara University boy she joked,
“there was no more time for Spartans
– only for Broncos.”
For those privileged enough to
know Lorna, she delighted those
around her with her keen sense of
humor, quick wit, wonderful story-
telling ability and “turn of phrase.”
We wished she had written her own
obituary – as we knew it would have
been funny!
She was stylish, elegant and created
beauty in everything she touched. She
embodied grace in everything she did.
She was a wonderful and loyal friend,
cherishing her close relationships.
She was an amazing cook and a meal
at the Panelli’s was always a special
occasion.
Lorna liked to have fun. She loved
her three boys, Tom, Jeff and Michael,
and was always their strongest sup-
porter. They in turn were there for her
during her difficult days, even to the
time of her death.
She was “Nonni” to her grandchil-
dren Joey, Elisa, Clara and Makiko.
Lorna loved to have them “sleep over”
followed by a waffle breakfaSaint She
enjoyed life to its fullest with her fam-
ily – always up for travel and laughter.
She always had a knowing twinkle in
her eye.
Lorna is survived by her loving
husband Ed and her three sons and
their families: Tom (Lani), Jeff, Michael
(Cindy) and devoted grandchildren
Joey, Elisa, Clara and Makiko. Nieces
and nephews include, Natalee and Pa-
tricia Ernstrom (Marshall Anstandig),
Alex and Patrick Panelli (Erica).
The family is grateful to the nurses
at Hospice of the Valley as well as the
Honors Care Givers for their kindness
and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
sent to Santa Clara University – Panelli
Scholarship.
Brother Robert Hoppe, S.M.
The Marian-
ist Province of the
Un it e d St at e s of
Amer ica recom -
mends to our fra-
ternal prayers our
dear brother, Rob-
ert Hoppe, of the
Marianist Community of Cupertino,
who died in the service of the Blessed
Virgin Mary on April 11 in Cupertino
at the age of 78 with 58 years of reli-
gious profession.
Brother Robert “Bob” began his
ministry as a teacher but soon dis-
covered that his talents and practical
personality would be more beneficial
to the Marianists on the business side
of ministry. He went on to serve in
administration for many Marianist
ministries, as a treasurer of several
Marianist communities and as Pro-
vincial Assistant for Temporalities.
His business mind was a gift for
many Marianist ministries. His prac-
tical mind and his deep Marianist
spirituality also made him a wonder-
ful homilist and a daily example of
the Marianist Charism.
Robert G. Hoppe was born in San
Francisco, California, on June 7, 1940.
He was one of two children (1 sister)
in the family of Gerhard and Myrtle
(nee Hoffman) Hoppe. He graduated
from Saint Cecelia’s grammar school
in San Francisco in 1954. He was first
introduced to the Marianists when he
attended Archbishop Riordan High
School in San Francisco. At the age of
17, he transferred Chaminade College
Preparatory in Los Angeles, where he
entered the Marianist postulate.
In August of 1959, he entered Mari-
anist novitiate in Santa Cruz, CA,
and professed first vows on August
15, 1960. He continued his college
studies in Honolulu while attending
Chaminade University. After earn-
ing his bachelor’s degree in history
in 1964, he was assigned to teach at
his alma mater, Archbishop Riordan
High School, in San Francisco. It was
around this time that he discovered
his interest in business and was as-
signed to Junipero Serra High School
in Gardena, CA, as business manager
(1966-1970). He professed perpetual
vows in August of 1968.
In 1973, he was assigned to serve as
comptroller at Saint Louis School in
Honolulu (1973-1975.) Having honed
his financial skills, the Pacific Prov-
ince assigned him to serve as their
Assistant Provincial of Temporalities
(1975-1990) and then as their chief
financial officer (1990-2002). In 2002,
Brother Bob was assigned to serve
as the Vice President of the Marian-
ist Center of Hawaii. In addition to
his dedicated stewardship of the
Marianist Center, Brother Bob was a
member of the board of regents for
Chaminade University of Honolulu
and he served on the board of trustees
for Saint Louis School in Honolulu.
Brother Bob retired to the Cupertino
Marianist Community in Cupertino,
CA, in 2018.
Father Patrick McDaid remembers,
“Brother Hoppe was dedicated to the
welfare of the students and faculty of
Saint Louis School and Chaminade
University. He was a conscientious
steward of the infrastructure of the
Kalaepohaku property of the Mari-
anist Center of Hawaii. Brother Bob
had an amazing personality and was
a beloved Brother to live with in com-
munity.”
Brother Dennis Schmitz writes,
“Brother Hoppe and I worked to-
gether for many years at the Marian-
ist Center of Hawaii where he served
as my “boss.” His responsibilities
tended to be directed toward the
infrastructure of the Chaminade
University/Saint Louis School cam-
pus whereas my role was more with
spiritual outreach to the broader
church and community. He was a
tremendous support for me and he
allowed me to ‘to spread my wings.’ “
Brother John Campbell remembers,
“Brother Bob was a very good friend.
I was blessed to be with him while I
was on retreat in Cupertino. I recall
his homilies. They were prepared
well and they were very practical.
He had a very good spiritual outlook,
also very practical. I will miss him. I
thank God I was able to tell him that
I love him as a Brother and friend.
His practical mind was very evident
at his work in the responsibilities of
the Marianist Center of Hawaii. Espe-
cially, the never-ending care for the
infrastructure on the entire campus.
When he left for Cupertino he told
me that he had completed all that he
had planned.”
We thank God for his life, his
knowledge and his dedicated service
to the Society of Mary as he joins his
Heavenly Father in everlasting peace.