Angela Cervantes, a retired office technician, passed away May 31, 2025. The California native worked for the department for 23 years. She was 74.

Cervantes began her career with the department at the California Institution for Men in Chino as an assistant clerk in October 1987. She was then an office assistant from 1988 until 2005.
“She played on the CIM horseshoe team when they had the CDC Olympics back in the day,” according to her daughter, Maria Castillo, who is also a retired CDCR correctional officer. “She was also employee of the month at CIM for April 1991.”
To be closer to her grandchildren, she transferred to California Men’s Colony as an office assistant in San Luis Obispo in 2005. In 2007, she was an office technician for the dental department. She remained at the institution until she retired in June 2011.
She is survived by two sons, a daughter, two sisters, and two grandchildren in addition to many nieces and nephews.
For many years, she also served as a California poll worker on the Central Coast.
Cervantes was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
Cervantes family recalls Angela’s kindness
“Angela was fun and loving to all who knew her. She loved many kinds of music, her cat Tigger and all other animals. She enjoyed walks on the boardwalk at Pismo Beach as well as around her neighborhood and taught Tigger to walk on a leash,” Castillo said. “Angela enjoyed her retirement and being independent as long as she could. She had a great sense of humor, a big smile and infectious laugh. She is dearly loved by her family and will be greatly missed.”
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 16, at Dudley-Hoffman Chapel, 1003 East Stowell Road, Santa Maria. Burial be held at Santa Maria Cemetery.
Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.
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