Valeria Wisherd's Obituary
Valeria was born on January 31, 1938 in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy to Domenico and Guiseppina (Tosin) Rossi. As a young child she was a self-professed tomboy who loved playing soccer and became a lifelong fan of The Azzurri (Italian National Team). During World War II, as the battlefronts grew closer to her home, her parents decided she would be safest staying with friends who had a farm in the mountains of Northern Italy. While she had fond memories of that beautiful place, the war and separation from her home and family had a lasting, profound effect on her. After returning to Vicenza, she received her first communion in 1946 and remained a devout Catholic throughout her entire life.
As a young adult she became captivated by following the latest fashions and artists. She was a huge Elvis fan, as was a young Army Sgt. Kenneth Wisherd, whom she met in 1962 while he was stationed in Vicenza. Valeria and “Kenny” were married in Italy in 1963 and he was the one and only love of her life. They welcomed their first son, Brian, in 1965. A few months later Kenneth was re-assigned to Ft Hood in Killeen, Texas, where they lived until Ken’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1967. They relocated to what would become their beloved hometown for the rest of their lives, San Diego, California and in 1969 they welcome their second son, Mark.
Valeria was a devoted wife and mother. She was active in many activities including being a Cub Scouts Den Mother, the Director of the Toler Elementary “Toler Travelers” Choir, a parishioner and Bingo volunteer at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and participated in San Diego Squares square dancing club. She became an enthusiastic Padres fan- she loved baseball, apple pie and America!
She was devastated by the untimely death of her husband while they were enjoying a vacation in Hawaii in 2002 and she never remarried. She continued to stay active in later life; spending time with her family, going to bingo at The Clairemont Friendship Center, exercising at the YMCA and regularly attending services at St Catherine Labouré Catholic Church. She also became a frequent donor to numerous charities, favoring Shriners Children’s Hospitals, The Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Jewish Family Services of San Diego. Valeria was proud to look and feel Forever Young.
Valeria passed away peacefully at home January 31, 2019 in San Diego, California. She was preceded in death by love of her life Kenneth, her parents Domenico and Guiseppina and her brother Walter. She is survived by sons Brian and Mark, and grandchildren Matthew and Grace.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to one of her favorite charities listed in her obituary
Visitation and Mass schedule can be found under the “Services” tab.
Please join us for a celebration of Life at 3:00pm at Cathy Hopper Clairemont Friendship Center, 4425 Bannock Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117
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