Pia Ofner

Pia loved her family and enjoyed being with her friends; it was the most important part of her life. Her kindness and philanthropy were the hallmark of her life’s story. Many of the people she touched never realized she had been their champion.

Pia was born in 1921, in a beautiful Swiss village surrounded by ancient walls. The red gate of the village was the source of its name, Rothenthurn. The eldest of six children, Pia had fond memories of her childhood there, When she was 16, she moved with her family to Zurich.

Pia was educated in boarding schools both in Zurich and London, where she learned French and English. Pia returned to Zurich at age 22 to help run the family hotel and restaurant after her father’s death.

It was at the family business in Zurich where she met her life partner and husband to be, Fritz. Pia and Fritz married in 1954, and immediately thereafter immigrated to America, settling in Hollywood. There, they worked as butler and housekeeper for a wealthy family.

Within a year, while visiting friends in San Diego, they decided to move here and begin their own business and raise their family. Fritz had been trained as a mechanic in the army and they saw an opportunity to use his training and her bookkeeping skills to establish their own foreign car repair business. Within two years of arriving here, the business was up and running.

Fritz and Pia also enjoyed an active social life together. Fritz was so confident in Pia’s talent for cooking, he would often-times surprise her at the door with spur-of-the-moment dinner guests. For the next two and a half decades, they worked hard and raised their family. Upon Fritz’ untimely death in 1979, Pia was left to manage her household, and, for a time, she owned and operated a gift shop.

Her kindness touched many lives. Over the years, she would bring bread from a local restaurant to Father Joe’s Village to feed the homeless, often assisting in the food serving line. She also belonged to several organizations affiliated with St. Vincent’s parish, and enjoyed volunteering her time there.

In later years, she enjoyed watching the Catholic channel on TV, and, until recently, she was able to enjoy her rides to church with her friend, sister Catherine. She most enjoyed the love of her family, her social life with friends, the sisters, and the clergy at the local parish. For the last few years, Pia’s son Fritz, daughter Angela, and sister Trudy have helped comfort her as her health deteriorated.

Pia was dedicated to being a good Catholic. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother.

Her family would like to thank all of her long-time, dear friends; the sisters and clergy at St. Vincent’s. She will be truly missed. Please remember her in your prayers, as she would remember you.

Arrangements under the direction of Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, San Diego, CA.