Valderez Puleo

Valderez Puleo, a woman defined by her Christian faith, kindness, and unwavering love for her family and friends, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Brevard County, Florida, at the age of 86.

Born on September 27, 1939, in Campinas, Brazil, Valderez was the daughter of the late Carlos Fostignone and Filomena Turato Fostignone. Drawing strength and warmth from her Brazilian and Italian roots, she carried the vibrant, loving spirit of both cultures throughout her life.

Valderez possessed an incredibly sharp mind and was known for her competitive but fun spirit, especially when playing Rummikub with her friends. She was an avid reader and a loyal friend, forming deep and lasting bonds with many over the years. Her love for sweets, especially chocolate, was well-known to all who knew her.

As the moral compass of her family, she kept everyone on the "straight and narrow". She was also an extremely hard worker with strong family values, known for being kind and gracious in thought, words, and deed. With a smile on her face and humble spirit, she was always willing to give of herself in helping others.

She created a home that, while perhaps not the largest or the poshest, was always the welcoming heart of the neighborhood, a place where friends naturally gathered. Even after working long hours, she would come home, clean, and cook-often while singing-filling the house with joy and warmth. She paid close attention to those she loved, always making sure to have the favorite foods of her children's friends ready when they arrived, especially 'pudim de leite'.

Valderez often said she was blessed with multiple families: her own immediate family, the family of her first husband, her late husband's family, her late son-in-law's family, and her wide circle of cherished friends. This profound gratitude defined her view of the world.

Valderez was preceded in death by her beloved second husband, Salvatore Puleo, and first husband, Onesimo Wiesmann; her parents, Carlos and Filomena Fostignone; her beloved aunt, Idalina Turato; sister, Valdeci Dalesandro; and her son-in-law, Ernest Hirchert.

She is survived and forever cherished by her children and their spouses: Mauro Wiesmann, Marcos Wiesmann (Marcia Fozatti Wiesmann), and Monica Wiesmann-Hirchert; her stepdaughters, Christine Dutcher (Bill), Margaret Puleo and their families; A.C. Fonseca, Jr., whom she considered another son.

She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Isabella Wiesmann and Kyle Hirchert; step-grandchildren, Brenda Dornbusch (Michael), Dale Hirchert (Cynthia), and Mark Hirchert; her great-grandchildren, Annabelle Hirchert, Theodore Hirchert, Jeremy Dornbusch (LynMarie), Chase Dornbusch (Danielle), Lindsey Hirchert, and great-great grandson, Colton Dornbusch.

Additionally, she is survived by her loving sister, Valeria Fostignone.

Valderez maintained a special and lifelong connection with her former sisters-in-law, Lavinia Batista, Miriam Wiesmann, and Ester Wiesmann, and brother-in-law, Olavo Wiesmann, whom she always considered family.