Wednesday, March 1, 2023
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To Michael, Grace, Fred and Lisa and to all of Mrs Valente’s grand and great grandchildren, and to all of extended family and to all who love her, I am very sorry for your loss and I extend my deepest condolences.
Mrs Valente was a lovely and admirable woman. She had a great wit and a fabulous smile and great laugh
My fondest memories of Mrs Valente are of sitting with her, usually in the evening, after supper, on the stoop at 316 and laughing about funny incidents, such as one in her neighbors driveway and other childish things we kids got ourselves into.
I especially relish my memories of being invited into her kitchen, being sat on one of the white benches and sharing, what to a little Ginger haired Irish girl was an exotic meal. I mean it had real garlic in it, not that powder. And of course a fresh tomato from Mr Valente’s white tomato containers.
If I close my eyes I can see Mrs Valente in her flower patterned apron and smell her home.
To close the meal Mrs Valente would give me a precious Italian nougat candy in that beautiful box, that were always in that dish, in that impeccably kept living room. Not a speck of dust and the floor shining like glass . In her generosity, Mrs Valente would share an extra for my sister Eileen. Eileen won’t remember this as the precious extra piece of Torrone candy would be consumed between 316 and 320 East 240th Street
I enjoyed all of my times and cherish my memories with Mrs Valente and I hold her and them in my heart.
Again, I am very sorry for the Valente Family’s loss.
