Sophia Salerno

The live stream will begin when the service starts around 10:20 am CST on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the following link: www.kcnativity.org
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Sophia Salerno, 82, was called to heaven on May 23, 2022. She peacefully passed away with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Sophia was born on September 18, 1939 in DePue, Illinois to Sabino and Barbarita Padilla. She was one of eleven siblings; blessed with five brothers and five sisters. After graduating from high school, Sophias adventurous and ambitious spirit led her to Chicago to pursue a career in fashion merchandising with the goal of becoming a retail buyer for a major department store. She met her handsome husband-to-be one fateful evening on a ballroom dance floor when he asked her to dance. Two years later in 1960 they married and moved to Kansas City and supported each other as they began a new business in plastic slip covers that grew and expanded to include retail flooring. Her career path changed to that of a devoted wife and mother. Although her career in fashion was put on hold, her beautiful sense of style was evident in everything she touched.
Sophia had a love of sports; most importantly cheering on the Royals and Chiefs. She especially enjoyed watching the games with her son Jim who shared the same enthusiasm for sports. She enjoyed playing golf, cards, and attending early morning workouts at Curves with an amazing group of friends.
She was an adoring grandmother and found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren who lovingly called her Nana. Sophia was a devoted Catholic and lived her life with great faith; an example to her family and all those who knew her. Sophia touched the lives of many and will continue to live through the cherished memories shared by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Salerno Sr., her son Jim Salerno Jr.; her parents, her sisters, Lil Galindo, Lupe Bantista, Angie Postula and Fern Moreno and her brothers John, Joe, Bob, and Jesse Padilla. She is survived by her daughter Michelle (Kevin), daughter-in-law Chris; grandchildren Brandon (Mallory), Justin (Kaitlynn), Jordon (Samantha) Schlitzer and Sabrina Salerno; great grandchildren, Gabriella, Adeline, Olivia, Wade, Wyatt and Dallas Schlitzer; her siblings, Mary Koplin and brother Salomon Padilla; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 4th beginning at 9:30 am 10:30 am at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, KS 66209, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64138.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online at https://www.kchospice.org/donation/, or through mail to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, 9001 State Line Road, Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64114.


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Visitation
Saturday, June 04, 2022
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Church of the Nativity 3800 W 119th StreetLeawood, Kansas 66209

Directions
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, June 04, 2022
10:30 AM

Church of the Nativity 3800 W 119th StreetLeawood, Kansas 66209

Directions
Interment
Saturday, June 04, 2022
11:45 AM

Mount Olivet Cemetery 7601 Blue Ridge BlvdKansas City, Missouri 64138

Directions