Angela Scherise Knowles died May 5. She was 45.
Knowles was born on May 26, 1965 in Redondo Beach. She moved with her family to Agoura Hills in 1973.
Knowles attended Round Meadow Elementary School and A.E. Wright Middle School. She went to Calabasas High School with her brother John, who was two years ahead of her, and her sister Michele, who was a year behind. Knowles graduated from high school in 1983 before receiving her bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, with honors, from California State University Northridge.
During college, Knowles worked as a fleet sales assistant to her father at Valley Dodge in Van Nuys. She then worked with the Miss Universe Pageant as assistant head chaperone, a job that took her to Japan and Cancun, Mexico. Knowles then returned to the auto industry, working as a finance manager at West Oaks Chrysler in Westlake, then Ogner Porsche in Canoga Park.
One of Knowles’ favorite pastimes was caring for animals. Among her pets were a six-foot boa named Athena, a tarantula named Joe, a four-foot iguana named Iggy, a 40-pound water monitor lizard, a parrot and various other animals. She also took care of several dogs including Olivia, a Yorkshire terrier she took with her everywhere.
Knowles followed her love of animals and worked as a dental hygienist for dogs at Malibu Animal Hospital and other veterinary clinics in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
Knowles lived in Malibu for nearly 20 years. She enjoyed frequenting local shops and restaurants, and particularly liked reading on the beach. Of Malibu, she has said, “There is no place I’d rather be…I could spend eternity here.”
Knowles is survived by her mother Darlene, her father John and stepmother Susan, her sister Michele, her brother John Jr. and sister-in-law Kami, and her nieces and nephews John III, Justin, Jared, Kayla, Kimber and Kendra.
A memorial service will take place June 4 at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church, 3625 Winter Canyon Rd., at 11 a.m.