Shelva Joanne Lagatta

Ms. Shelva J. Lagatta (née: Wilfong) was born on 8 May 1937 in Elkton, West Virginia. She was the second of thirteen children born to Mr. Sewell and Mrs. Wilma Wilfong and enjoyed growing up on a farm and in a large family. She had many fond memories of her early years and was always happy to share them when asked.

In her early adult life, Shelva moved from Elkton, West Virginia, to Barstow, California, to begin a civil service administrative specialist career. It was there that she met the love of her life, Pete Lagatta Jr., and on 16 January 1960, she became his loving and devoted wife. Together they welcomed their son Paul D. Lagatta on 23 March 1962. Among her many other attributes, Shelva especially enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her family until Pete's passing on 26 September 2018. Pete and Shelly spent many happy years together and made a lifetime of friends and happy memories. They were a shining example of what unconditional love and commitment really mean. Shelva will always be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, a tender and loving mother, a gracious mother-in-law, and a caring grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. 

Mrs. Lagatta is survived by her son, Paul, and his wife, Carol, her grandchildren and their spouses and partners: Emily Dallal (née Lagatta) and her husband Tarik Dallal, Sarah Lagatta and her partner Armando Gonzales, Racheal James and her partner Alison Veith, and Andrew Lagatta and his wife Renee Lagatta. She will also be remembered fondly by her great-grandchildren, Stetson Lagatta, Adria Gonzales, Armando Gonzales Jr., Selena Gonzales, Gabriel Dallal, and Adam Dallal. In addition, she is survived by her sister Trudy Rexrode (née Wilfong), along with other siblings and extended family members. She will also be dearly missed by her cherished friends, Tim and Stacey Thalmayer, Ann and Jonathan Rives, and Tracy Reynolds.

On 8 January 2021, Ms. Shelva moved from Escondido, California, to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to be closer to family. She enjoyed getting reacquainted with her son and daughter-in-law before her passing. Shelva will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America at: https://www.dementiasociety.org

1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 13: “And now abide in faith, hope and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

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