Edwina Valdiserri, 93, died Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Mon Valley Care Center inMonongahela, Pa. She was born on Sept. 28, 1930, in Monessen, Pa., the youngest child of the late Vincenzo and Anna DiGregorio. She was the only one of five children born in the United States, her family having emigrated to America from the village of Pietransieri, Abruzzo, Italy, the year before she was born. “Eddie,” as she was called by family and friends alike, grew up in Monessen and graduated from Monessen High School in 1948 as the class salutatorian. Given her quick mind, her attention to detail, and her outgoing personality, she would likely have been successful in an academic or business career. Instead, she chose to follow her heart and marry her high school sweetheart, Ronald Valdiserri, in 1949. Together they raised three children: a daughter, Orianne, and twin sons, Edwin and Ronald. In addition to her responsibilities as a wife and mother, Eddie helped her husband manage Valdiserri’s Bakery in Monessen — first on Knox Avenue and later on Grand Boulevard in what was then known as the Loblaw Plaza. When she and Ron sold the bakery business and moved to Florida in 1975, Eddie was able to put her management skills to good use, working her way up from a bank teller to become a vice president in the Bank Atlantic organization. Her husband, Ronald, taught baking and culinary arts at the Sheridan Vocational School. When they retired in 1996, Eddie and Ron moved back to western Pennsylvania to be closer to family. They were active members of St. Anthony’s Church in Monongahela as well as the ltalian American Heritage Society of Monessen. Eddie also volunteered for several years at Mon Valley Hospital. She loved spending time with her immediate and extended family, often around a dining room table laden with lasagna, braciole and other ltalian goodies. She was an avid card player, whether it be canasta, 500 bid or bridge, and belonged to several card clubs throughout her life. In 1953, she and a group of her friends from the Mon Valley founded the Tuesday Night Canasta Club, whose meetings and social gatherings were regularly chronicled in The Valley Independent newspaper. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Ronald; her son, Dr. Edwin Valdiserri; and her sisters, Gianina, Derna and Agnes. She is survived by her daughter, Orianne Cattaneo (Jack) of Monongahela; her granddaughter, Jennifer Cattaneo of Monongahela; her son, Dr. Ronald O. Valdiserri (Raymond) of Senoia, Ga.; her brother, Delfo DiGregorio of Stow, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the third-floor staff of Mon Valley Care Center and Yuli, Jessica and Diane of OSPTA for the compassionate care they provided to Edwina during the last months of her life. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen. Services will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home with a blessing service followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Monessen with the Rev. Michael J. Crookston officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery. Condolences are being accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
