Veronica Magdalina (Graber) Filaseta
July 4, 1933—December 29, 2023
Tucson, AZ formerly Highland Falls, NY
Veronica Magdalina (Graber) Filaseta, a longtime resident of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023, at the age of 90. Veronica, fondly called Ronie, was born on July 4, 1933, in Cornwall, New York. She was an only child and was raised in nearby Highland Falls by her parents Eugene and Magdalina (“Lina” Ludwig) Graber. Ronie excelled as a student while attending Highland Falls High School and was active in student clubs and sports. She played piano, skated, cooked, knitted, sewed, crocheted and played tennis. Ronie had a lovely voice and sang in the church choir, often at engagements and on the radio. This led to her receiving a scholarship and attending Juilliard School for a brief period during her college years. In addition, Ronie was a woman of strong faith attending Roman Catholic services her entire life. She met the love of her life, Bart Michael Filaseta, at the age of 15. Bart attended West Point and graduated in 1953 while Ronie attended nearby Ladycliff College. They agreed to marry and, as her parents requested, to wait until they both finished college. Inspired by this, Ronie went through an accelerated program and earned a BA in English with a minor in Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude. On April 19, 1954, Ronie and Bart married at Sacred Heart Church of Highland Falls which was built by family through the construction business owned by Leo Graber, her grandfather and a former Highland Falls’ mayor. They had six children and as a military family would move often. Ronie’s passion was raising and caring for her children whom she loved dearly. During the two years when Bart was deployed overseas (Korea and Vietnam), Ronie was alone working hard to raise her young children. Her children loved her fabulous cooking. Ronie was an avid swimmer and taught her children how to swim at a young age.
In their retirement years, Bart and Ronie enjoyed watching hummingbirds from their Tucson home in the foothills as well as sightseeing as they traveled often. One month after their 68th anniversary, Bart passed away. Ronie missed Bart tremendously in the last year and half of her life. Ronie is survived by six children and their spouses: Joseph/Joe Filaseta, Bart Filaseta Jr., John (Sue) Filaseta, Michael (Karen) Filaseta, Mary (Jim) Frohlich, and Eugene/Gene Filaseta. Ronie is also survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family plus many other loved ones.
Ronie and Bart were active members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Tucson. Besides her beauty and grace, Ronie will be remembered for her love of children. She will be dearly missed. She was laid to rest with her husband and alongside her parents at East Lawn Palms Mortuary in Tucson. A celebration of life will be held in the near future, and a memorial Mass will be held in the honor of Bart and Ronie.