Angela Flerida Calabria, died at her residence in Minnetonka, Minnesota on December 23, 2022, at the age of 94, after succumbing to pneumonia. She was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the daughter of Jose Canelos and Delia Benavides, who immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island when she was a teenager. Angela was bilingual in Spanish and English. She initially worked as a silkscreen artist in New York City and continued that career for over 25 years part-time, while raising four children with her husband of 54 years, Dr. Frank M. Calabria, Ph.D.
Angela met Frank at a dance studio in Brooklyn, NY, where he was an instructor. They were married a year later and traveled through Europe on their honeymoon. The couple moved to Albany, NY in 1956 and to Schenectady in 1966, when Frank became a Professor of Psychology at Union College. The couple was renowned for their dance performances including folk dancing, ballroom dancing, and their favorite, Argentine Tango. Angela and Frank were treasured members of the Capital Region ballroom dance and Albany Tango Society communities.
Angela was also a talented artist and sculptor, working in various mediums, including clay, wood, metal, plaster, lead, and fabric. She studied the art of Chinese brush painting with Gu LeFu and sculpture under Robert Blood. Angela was also an accomplished gardener and transformed her Schenectady residence on Wendell Avenue, into an authentic Japanese garden, which was frequently featured in the GE Plot Home and Garden tours. Her residential housing layout sketch was featured in the book “Images of America -Schenectady’s General Electric Realty Plot”. Angela was also an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady where she served on the Women’s Alliance and Wellspring Committees for many years. An avid tennis enthusiast, she played well into her seventies and was known for her tenacity.
Angela relocated to Minnetonka, MN in 2019. There she danced two or three times per week, with the Tango Society of Minnesota, up until weeks before her death. At the age of 93, Angela performed an intricate Argentine tango at the Mall of America for hundreds of fellow dancers and onlookers. Within the Minnesota dance community, she was recognized as a “Tango Treasure.”
Angela was predeceased by her husband, Frank Calabria. She is survived by her elder sister Maruja Coddington and younger brother James Canelos, four children; Carl Calabria, Mark Calabria, Alissa Quinn, and Mayela Harris, and by her nine grandchildren; Kyle, John, Mario, Nicolai, Rory, Rachel, Maya, Sophia, and Rose. She is also beloved by her in-laws Juanita Canelos, Robert Coddington, Jeanine Calabria, Marie Calabria, Stephen Harris, countless cousins, extended family, and friends.
Two memorial ceremonies will be held to honor a beautiful life; the first in Minnetonka, MN and the second at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, NY with times and dates to be announced. The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the support and care received from Sunrise of Minnetonka, Home Instead of Minnesota, and Park Nicollet Hospice of Minnesota. Donations made in Angela’s honor will be graciously accepted by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308, or Albany Tango Society, c/o Kevin Magee, 170 Central Avenue, Troy, NY 12180.