Mozelle Angel Obituary

MOZELLE GOOCH ANGEL Mozelle G. Angel, affectionately known as Mozy, was a beacon of light and life from her birth on September 2, 1929, in Walling, Tennessee, until her peaceful passing on August 16, 2023, in North Shore Oahu. Mozy was the last surviving Gooch sibling from Tennessee, a fact she wore as a badge of honor, a testament to her strength, and a symbol of her enduring spirit. She is survived by her four children - daughters Shelly Leslie (Wayde Nakai), Alexandra Angel, and Tani Whitehead (Scott), and son Johnathan Angel (Kelly). Mozy's legacy also continues through her five grandchildren Dustin and Zandi Eguires, Miki'ala Leslie, Gage and Tia Whitehead and nine great-grandchildren. Mozy's life was a grand adventure, one that began in the 8th grade, at a Tennessee boarding school and led her across the country to California. It was there she attended UCLA, graduating with a degree in Physical Education. Mozy's thirst for knowledge and her passion for physical activity propelled her to San Francisco State University, where she started her teaching career. During her second summer break, she took a trip to Hawaii to surf, a decision that would shape the rest of her life. Over the next 40 years, Mozy would establish herself as a beloved teacher throughout Oahu, spending her last 20 years at Kahuku High and Intermediate as a Health and PE teacher. She was more than just a teacher; she was a mentor, a coach, and a role model to countless students. She had a gift for making learning enjoyable and instilling in her students a love for physical activity that mirrored her own. When Mozy wasn't teaching, she was living life to the fullest. Before having children, she and her late husband Jose, spent their summers sailing on their ketch, "The Gemini," from California to Oahu, during the 1950's. They lived on the boat at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and biked to work. Their adventures included surfing trips to the north shore, camping in the hale koa jungle of Haleiwa or Laniakea, and playing tennis. Mozy was one of the first women to surf Oahu's North Shore and initially was a better surfer than Jose. In 1961, they moved to a little beach house on the North Shore. Here, Mozy would walk on the beach looking for shells, while her husband dove for dinner. Their family home had a trampoline, where both parents would coach their children and the neighbors children. These moments encapsulate the adventurous, courageous, and spirited woman that Mozy was. She was a woman who was not afraid to chart her own course, to embrace life's challenges, and to find joy in the simple things. In the words of Helen Keller, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Mozy embodied this quote, living every day as a daring adventure. She was a woman who embraced life, who loved deeply, and who had a profound impact on those around her. Her spirit, her energy, and her love for life were infectious. Mozy was a woman of adventure, courage, and spirit. Her life was a testament to the power of embracing life's journey and living each day, to the fullest. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a zest for life that will continue to inspire and motivate those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family, her students, and all those whose lives, she touched. Waimea Bay paddle out will be held in the late spring, 2024. "I've found it. Eternity. It's the sun mingled with the sea." Arrangements Provided By: Oahu Mortuary