On May 26th, 1937, Rosalie Selver Astwood, and Rafael Antonio Valerio, was blessed with a daughter they named Griselda Antonia Valerio in Hispaniola, Haiti. She was born into a beautiful family with 3 sisters, Maria Theresa, Ana Carina, Dorothy and the only brother, Alden. Migrating soon afterwards, she was raised and educated on the island of Grand Turk, in the West Indies. “Pimps” was a nickname her older sister Maria Theresa had given her because she was naturally inquisitive. As a teenager, Griselda, and Maria Theresa moved to Venezuela to live with their father, and Griselda decided to further her education. After accomplishing additional courses, and learning Spanish, Griselda left for New York City.
While in New York, she worked various jobs, and decided to further her singing career, where she sung classical, opera and religious music. While hanging on to her singing hobby, she also made a career working as a social worker for the department of Human resources in New York City, for over 35 years. She had made New York her home where she had two amazing children, Rafael, and Clarita. It was also special to her because there she met and married her husband, Wilfred Ogburn. Griselda had suffered a horrific physical experience, where she was given the nickname “The unsinkable Molly Brown” given to her by her mother. Still singing, she joined St. Stephens Episcopal Church, in Queens, N.Y, with her husband Wilfred for 30+ years as lead soprano and President of the church choir. Holding a prestigious position, she also led concerts as lead soloist, singing in numerous different languages such as German, Italian, French, and Spanish.
On the Morning of December 2nd, 2022, Griselda passed away peacefully, after a 16-year battle with Alzheimer’s. She leaves behind, her children Clarita and Rafael. Four grandchildren, Vallan, Antonio, Mickielia, and Ashley. Her six great-grandchildren, Jalen, Carmello, Saniya, Mia, Antonio JR, and Skyla. Her two sisters, Maria Theresa, and Ana Carina. A multitude of family and friends. Above all, she leaves behind, laughter, tears, amazing recipes, songs, and a beautiful voice nobody can replace.
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