Verna Byrd Salcedo's Obituary
Verna Salcedo “Peggy” passed-away Sunday, June 30, 2013, at the Masonic Home in Union City, California after a lengthy illness. She was born October 28, 1921 to the late Ethel Mae Byrd (Powell) and James Alfred Byrd in Evergreen, Alabama. The oldest of 8 children (6 girls and 2 boys) all of whom had a name that began with a “V,” they became known as the “V-8’s”. Verna met and married her husband, Mariano Salcedo Jr. “Butch”, who preceded her in death in 1988. They met a couple of weeks before he got shipped out for 4 years. He was the love of her life. Following his return from World War II, they made their home in San Diego, California. She lived in the family home in Lemon Grove, CA, until she moved into the Masonic Home in 2001.Verna is survived by her daughter, Marion Salcedo, and her spouse, Robert Whiting of Olympia, WA; two of her sisters: Vermel Reece, Bynum, AL, and Verby Nell Fernier, Anniston, AL. Vergie Armstrong, Vennie Gurly, Vertis Speed, Virgil Byrd, and Verman Byrd preceded her in death. She is also survived by her grandsons, Andrew Muir Thorogood and David Maximilian Salcedo of Olympia, WA. She had 2 great granddaughters, Jade Marie Thorogood, and Cierra Jean Thorogood of Tumwater, WA. Other survivors include nephews and a niece she raised, Harry Gerhart Scheid, Holger Patrick Scheid, and Linda Byrd. She had numerous nieces and nephews.Verna worked as an aircraft spray painter at Convair and Hughes Tool and Die. She also worked as a seamstress, creating everything from costumes for musicians, marching uniforms to wedding gowns. This is a skill she continued to use after moving into the Masonic Home.Verna was a member of Lemon Grove and Harbor Lights Chapters Order of Eastern Star and a member of honor of Lemon Grove Job’s Daughters Bethel #229. She was also a recipient of The Rob Morris Award. She was recognized as a Volunteer of the Year, and for starting a garden at the Masonic Home, but she was best known for starting the Masonic Red Hatters. She served as the Queen until her illness. She loved sharing her recipes and her many stories. She always said, “You can do anything you see me do, but nothing you heard that I did.” She was loved by so many and will be missed by all.A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 1 to 3 pm, at the Lemon Grove Masonic Temple, 2590 Main Street, Lemon Grove, California. On Sunday, October 27, 2013, the family will be laying flowers on her and her husband’s memorial site at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 18000 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, California 92106. The site is Plot 16, Section ME.The family has requested that, if you have a memory of Verna that you would like to share, or, a picture of her how you remember her, to please bring the memories and pictures with you.
What’s your fondest memory of Verna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Verna?
Share a story where Verna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Verna you’ll never forget.
How did Verna make you smile?