July 26, 1953-August 31, 2023
As rare as the blue moon itself, Mitzi Valera lay to rest on such a magical day, August 31, 2023, after battling multiple factors including strokes. She was born in San Francisco to Ray Tait and Mercedes Green. She was the oldest of her three siblings: Charlotte Donnan, Ray Tait Jr., and Steve Tait.
Mitzi and her late husband, John Valera were married 39 years before he passed in 2018. They met and fell deeply in love in San Francisco and decided to move north to Cloverdale for the country dream of land, animals, and to raise a family. Mitzi has been part of the Cloverdale Community since the late 70’s.
She leaves behind her son, John Valera Jr., daughter Vanessa (Valera) Bascherini, son-in-law Blake Bascherini
and her two beautiful grandchildren Landen Valera Bascherini and Leila Valera Bascherini, sister Charlotte (Tait) Donnan, brother-in-law Mark Donnan and mother Mercedes Green.
Mitzi enjoyed gardening, especially Gardenias, camping on the Russian River, Blue Lakes, Sugar Loaf and anywhere else she and Pop traveled. She loved traveling, especially to Puerto Vallarta, the Cayman Islands, Alaska, and Hawaii. She had a love for animals that she passed down to her children and grandchildren. She was also very active and loved being with her two grandchildren. She was part of the Redwood Empire Trail Riders Club and rode many times in the Citrus Fair Parade along with many years supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Auxiliary 9268.
Mitzi was very adventurous and a thrill seeker with her love of roller coasters, salmon fishing, parasailing, barrel racing with her horse Starfire, snorkeling and feeding stingrays, sky diving, and riding on a motorcycle.
She enjoyed watching National Geographic and the History Channel. She was a wiz at Trivial Pursuit with many game nights with friends and family. She loved a wide range of music except for country and attended a
variety of music festivals and concerts. She loved to read, especially Steven King.
Mitzi worked in many local businesses, including Morgan Wood, Papa Johns’, Zola’s, Bandiera Winery, World
Famous Hamburger Ranch and Pasta Farm, and lastly retiring with Farmers Insurance.
She was a loving wife, mother, Mimi, sister, daughter, aunt, and cousin and loved by many friends and will be forever in our hearts. You fought like hell and now you’re free of pain and missed by all who love you.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 21, 2023, with family and friends.
