LOUISE BALELO VIRISSIMO

VIRISSIMO, LOUISE BALELO Louise Balelo Virissimo unexpectedly passed away September 26, 2010. She was born in San Diego on June 30, 1930 to Manuel and Ludevina Balelo, pioneers in the tuna fishing industry. Louise was the second born of seven children, and was born and raised in the Portuguese community of Point Loma. After attending Cabrillo Elementary and Dana Jr. High, Louise graduated from Point Loma High School in 1948. Soon after, she married the love of her life, Alvaro Roland Virissimo, on July 11, 1948 at St. Agnes Church. It was then that they started their family, raising five sons and one daughter. They continued to be involved in the growth of the U.S. Tuna Industry. Louise was very proud of her Portuguese heritage and was very active in the Point Loma Community. In 1967, Louise and Roland were honored to be President of the Portuguese Festa do Espirito Santo. She was also President of the UPPEC, a member of Catholic Daughters, volunteer for the San Diego Center for Children, and was dedicated to helping Rachel's house, a home for battered women. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. Her greatest passion in life was traveling the world with her husband, family, and friends . Louise was an avid sports fan and never missed any family sporting events. In the past few years, she devoted her time to the care of her husband. Louise will be remembered as the matriarch of the family; a loving wife, caring mother, generous grandmother, and adoring great-grandmother. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed by many. Louise is survived by her husband Roland of 62 years, her six children, Roland (Pat), Jeanne, Robert (Odette), William (Kathryn), Gregory (Gina), Philip (Bernie), her sixteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, three siblings; Mary Dores, William Balelo (Gail), Joanne Cabral, and sister-in law Dalny Balelo. She was preceded in death by her brothers Richard and Manuel and sister Elizabeth (Balelo) and her parents. Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3rd, at Beardsley Mitchell Funeral Home, 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Services will be held on Monday, October 4th, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1140 Evergreen Street. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. with Mass immediately following. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 4470 Hilltop Drive. In lieu of flowers, (please) send donations to the American Diabetes Association, 5060 Shoreham Place #100, San Diego, CA 92122 or Rachel's House, 753 8th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101.