Susan S Valentino

Susan Slavin Valentino passed peacefully in her sleep on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, following a courageous and decade long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born to Jean and John Slavin in Detroit, MI on April 2, 1949, and enjoyed her high school years at Marian High School an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school located in Bloomfield Hill, MI. She then attended Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, where she earned a BFA degree (Bachelor of Fine Arts) graduating in May of 1971. On August 27, 1971, she and Carl were married in a Latin High Mass Ceremony/Celebration at Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham, MI. During the ensuing 54 years, she and Carl enjoyed their time together residing in Chicago, IL, Montreal, Quebec and Atlanta, GA.

A true renaissance woman, Susan’s artistic vision and talent were always on full display whether capturing moments behind a camera lens (at a juncture, she was the Official Photographer for the Chicago Curling Club), creating intricate needle point works of art, handcrafting beautiful handmade wreaths or routinely sending the grandkids her infamous “Nonna Boxes” which were a collection of unique, clever and curated items…creativity was always the order of the day! Not surprisingly, Susan also had a pretty good green thumb finding joy in the love labor of gardening and the fresh flowers that perpetually sat atop her kitchen countertop and island were perfect representations of same. And then there was tennis where her poise and tenacity (watch out for that drop shot or the over the head lob) confounded many of her opponents far and wide. Susan was a dedicated friend and companion to her husband Carl and an awesome mother to their 3 children. Above and beyond her dedication to family and friends, she also selflessly devoted time and energy to supporting Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Marist High School and Lekotek of Georgia to name but a few. She will always be remembered for her warm and generous heart.

Susan is survived by her husband Carl, their 3 children (Carl Valentino Jr, Laura Rizzo, Karen), her 4 grandchildren (Drew & Matthew Rizzo and Amelia & Leo Valentino) her 2 sisters (Jean Kennedy & Maggie Cate), her brother (Paul Slavin) her step sister (Julie Slavin) her stepbrother (Tom Kennedy), her son-in law (Jason Rizzo) and a large network of extended family and lifelong friends.