Mrs. Angela Shay Hattaway

Angela Shay Hattaway, 55, of Mount Dora, Florida would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received the call on November 1, 2021, “an offer you can’t refuse”, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This new assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time.  Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be whole again, without pain and socializing, dancing, gardening, reading her bible and riding Princess once again.  Music, laughter, and love are guaranteed.  She left detailed instructions (as she did for everything), for her family, children, and friends to celebrate her LIFE.

Angela was born on November 11, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas to James Butler Wayne (an honorable father, husband and veteran, as well as a talented musician and writer), and Ulrike Vera Johnson Hornig (a devoted wife, mother and homemaker with beautiful strong German roots). She grew-up in a small form house in Tellico Plains, Tennessee but spent most of her life in central Florida.  She loved to entertain and was an accomplished cook and worked for Chamberlins in Altamonte Spring, Florida as a teenager where she met and married her former husband Michael D. Cahelo (wife Diane). They had three children together. Amber Shay (Martin) McDaniel, Krista Leigh (Austin Williams) Cahelo, Arieh Michael Cahelo.  She was a devoted and loving housewife during the 13 years they were married and has continued a close family bond with Michael and his new wife Diane ever since.

In 1999, Angela got married to me.  Dane Phelps Hattaway and we had her youngest and last child Nathan Phelps Hattaway. During her 22 years with me, we shared our love of sports cars with manual transmissions, horses to ride, motorcycles, wines to drink, nature and all its beauty and a drive for adventure. Angela was full of life, she was not just beautiful, she was stunningly beautiful and would take over a room when she entered.         

To simplify what she was to me: Angela was the  most admirable, alluring, amazing, astonishing, attractive, awesome, beautiful, blesses, breathtaking, brilliant, charming, cheerful, classy, creative, dazzling, dedicated, delicate, delightful, deserving, dynamic, enchanting, entrancing, exceptional, exquisite, extraordinary, fabulous, faith driven, fantastic, fascinating fine, feisty, formidable, glorious, impressive, incredible, inspiring, intoxicating, irresistible, helpful, heroic, giving, gorgeous, graceful, lovely, magical, magnificent, marvelous, miraculous, outstanding, perfect, phenomenal, pleasant, pleasing, positive, praiseworthy, precious, pretty, radiant, rare, ravishing, remarkable, sensational, spectacular, , spirited, striking, strong, stunning, stupendous, superb, sweet, terrific, thankful, thrilling, tolerant, tough, tremendous, venerable, wonderful, wondrous, worthy AND YUMMY person that GOD has given to me.  I will love you Angela Shay Hattaway for eternity or until I can finish counting the stars, whichever comes first.

Over our lives together, she worked as a waitress, bartender and for several construction companies in Orlando until she decided to pursue her real passion in the Nursing field.  Angela attended and eventually graduated from UCF with a BS in nursing all while having been diagnosed with a terminal cancer.  Even after her diagnosis and during treatment she continued to work for several hospitals around Orlando as a Med-Surg RN.

Over the past 12 years, our life and vacations were traveling the country together seeking a way to beat the cancer. She endured and survived over 30 surgeries, spent over 250 days in a hospital bed or lying on a CT or MRI Table.  Angela was a fighter and never quit anything and would not let her disease control her life.  Those who had the pleasure of knowing and loving her ALWAYS say “She was the strongest person I have ever known”.

Angela’s FAITH was the foundation of her being.  She often said “if my cancer and suffering can help bring one person to the Lord then it will be worth it”.  She used to just walk over strangers whom she found staring at her (as many often did) and share her story and how her FAITH IN GOD has kept her going forward.  The only other man in her life was GOD, and he was at the top of the list always.  She attended many Churches over her life but always had a special place in her heart for New Vision Community Church and Mount Dora Baptist Church.  The wonderful people in her “Life” groups were her rocks for support. 

If Angela was here today, she would say “Although I have lost much I sure as hell DID NOT lose to cancer”.  She would not give it that much credit. She chose to live out her days in VICTORY instead of defeat. Cancer battled hard to take her faith, love, hope or her Joy but she fought back with the Word of the Lord and his renewed strength and mercies each day. It was her “Battle” and it was just life which is often brutally random and unfair and she knew and accepted that is was in GOD’s plan for her.  She LIVED and held on to her faith, love, hope and jot for 12 years with cancer and that is a testimony I pray you never forget.

Cancer does not care who it takes, who it hurts, It comes into your life and starts to break the threads of the heart strings that keep us tied together.… BUT in the end is when the most amazing thing happens, cancer loses its strength and grace appears. We just have to see it, receive it and go with it because Grace and love ALWAYS win.

From her children –

Angela was a vessel filled with the love of God. Her kind spirit was like a warm embrace, and it was as if you’d known her for a lifetime when meeting her for the first time. Peppered throughout all her conversations was her love for her family and animals, especially those with fur and those who had a mane and tail. All creatures great and small were welcomed with her arms wide open. Hospitality and giving were two of her greatest gifts. Anyone who entered her home was welcomed and greeted with love and it was rare if you left without a fully satisfied tummy and happy taste buds from her mouth-watering meals. To paint her beauty with words; her appearance was like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sunshine, and majestic as the stars in procession. Her smile and laughter could light up the darkest room and when she left the room her child-like joy was missed. As a woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, Oma, and friend she danced fiercely and passionately through life here on earth. She also made it very well known that the glory always belonged to her Heavenly Daddy. During a family-wide, reflective conversation these Tokens of Truth about Angela were spoken and shared: “Angela was Tenacious, Resilient, Faithful, Strong, Bold, Inquisitive, Knowledgeable, Articulate, Detailed, Faith-filled, Creative, Resourceful, Brave, Yummy (says her hubby, hehe), Spitfire, Strong-willed, Fun, Exuberant, and Colorful.”

Angela had a very extensive family.  She fought every day to stay alive and to be with them. No person could ever ask for a more loving and supportive companion. She had numerous siblings Jude M. (Loiana M. Castro) Ferguson, Julie Andrea (Anthony) Johnson Chavez, Scott Michael Johnson, Eric Johnson, Brian Robert Klepczyk, Carla Miranda (Michael) Hughes, and Adam Taylor Wayne.  She had two grandchildren Emilia Shay Puertas and Landen Jade Williams;

We weren’t her only loved ones. Angela had a strong connection with the many animals She cared for over the years, especially her horses. Riding was a passion for Angela throughout her entire life. I can remember watching in awe as She would gallop across an open field bareback without a care in the world. Her horses and her pets were her family.  She left behind, eight cats, 4 cows, 6 chickens, 4 horses, 2 quail, a bunny rabbit, a snake and “Max” our dog. 

Other Family,  Step Father: Ebbon Carl Johnson Jr. Step Mother: Alice Ann Wayne Klepczyk  in laws Diann Phelps Bowman, Jenny (Clay) McDonough, Robert S. Hattaway, Rachel (Chris) Butler, Elizabeth Miller and Ryan (Marimer) Kelley; grandmother Helga Irmgard Torres as well as nieces and nephews Joy M. Ferguson, Ella Marye Hughes, Austin Alan Hughes, Jeanette Raine Smith, Daisy Carlton, Ransom Carlton, Emily Kelley, Connor Kelley, Hannah Butler, Mia Miller, Bobby Miller, Taylor Miller and JR. Miller. Niki Meyers, Anthony Assam, Jr. and Alex Cardello.

We want to let her know that she did a great job and wish her a safe journey. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, her love for life, family and friends, she worked very hard all her life, up until the very end. She made a difference in the lives of many. We invite you to join us and celebrate together.

Angela’s ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held on Sunday, November 21st @ 12 PM. You can join us at the Hattaway residence located at 4037 Laughlin Rd., Mount Dora, FL 32757.

Southern style buffet, open bar and drinks will be provided.

At the request of her husband, please come casually prepared to enjoy yourself and celebrate and have a good time in honor of Angela.

Come anytime between the hours of 12pm and 4pm. Personal Coolers and chairs welcome.

A ‘Table of Love’ will be set up with pictures, keepsakes, and a place to share wonderful memories of Angela that you carry with you. If there are any pictures or keepsakes you’d like to add to the table please bring them with you.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a Hospice of your choice or the Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network. (NCAN) https://www.netcancerawareness.org