Willa F. Gehring

Willa Fredricka Winch Gehring was born in East Templeton, Massachusetts on April 28, 1915, to parents Frederick and Mattie Louise Winch. Over his life, Frederick drove a horse-drawn streetcar, was a meat cutter, and later, an appliance salesman, while Louise was a school teacher, and later a homemaker. Willa’s family moved to National City, California in 1921, as the harsh New England winters were taking a toll on her father’s health. Willa met and eventually married her sweetheart, Paul Gehring in 1937.

Willa and Paul had two daughters, Valerie and Gloria. In addition to raising their two daughters, Willa sold for Avon and Fashion Frocks. Willa’s older sister, Cressa, passed away in 1973. Paul passed away in 1977, after a long battle with cancer. After his passing, Willa stayed busy working on crafts, like painting plaster ware, building doll houses, and making pillows. Over the years, Willa was a member at Brooklyn Heights Presbyterian Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church (both in San Diego), and lastly, at La Mesa Presbyterian Church. Willa lived as the original owner of her home on Paula Street in La Mesa, which she and Paul had purchased in 1951, living there until she was no longer able to live alone. Willa spent the last seven years of her life at Garden Cottage in La Mesa, and passed into the arms of her Savior in the early morning of Sunday, November 10, 2013.

Willa is survived by her two daughters, Valerie Marshall of Spring Valley, and Gloria Merritt of La Mesa. Valerie and her husband, Phillip, have two daughters, Leah Montello, of Serra Mesa, and Melanie Marshall, of Rancho San Diego. Gloria and her husband, James, also have two daughters, Camille Hyatt and Bethany Merritt. Willa had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2013 - 2 p.m. at the Salli Lynn Chapel in Greenwood Memorial Park (4300 Imperial Avenue - San Diego, CA 92113) (I805 and Imperial).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Willa's memory to Covenant Presbyterian Church - 2930 Howard Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104. If you prefer to send flowers, please send them to Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary (7387 Broadway - Lemon Grove, CA 91945) and we will take them to the service.

Willa was much loved and will be deeply missed.