Elizabeth "Betsy" Valenza

Elizabeth "Betsy" Valenza, age 95, of Houston, died Wednesday, the 9th of January 2013, after a brief illness, and while surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Valenza had been living at the Holly Hall Retirement Center in Houston and formerly at The Terrace in Sugar Land.

Born on the 25th of November 1917 in Chicago, the daughter of Louis Joseph and Mary Elizabeth “Mamie” Ciucci (later changed to Sousa), Mrs. Valenza was one of six children. She grew up on Chicago’s south side, and after graduating from high school, she worked as a stenographer. She also enjoyed a love for horses that led to her to becoming an accomplished equestrian. She met the love of her life, Dr. Joseph M. Valenza, in Houston while visiting cousins and they later married on the 13th of April 1940 in Chicago. The first of their five children, Christine, was born in 1945. Upon Dr. Valenza’s completion of podiatry school, the family moved to Houston in 1947. With the addition of sons J. Michael, Jr., Robert, John and Paul, Mrs. Valenza was a full time homemaker while occasionally assisting her husband in his practice. While raising their family, she and her husband were involved with St. Anne and St. Michael Catholic Churches, The Briar Club, and the national and state Podiatric Medical Associations. Mrs. Valenza's hobbies included spending time with friends, tennis, reading, dancing, travelling, boating, and fishing. She was also an avid sports fan, especially of her beloved Astros. As her extended family grew, she especially treasured her time with their families. During the last decade of her life, she enjoyed spending time with her “girlfriends” at The Terrace, namely Betty, Julia, Lo, Paula, and Ruby. Their moments together during meals and “happy hours” were great fun. After moving to Holly Hall assisted living, Mrs. Valenza enjoyed her time there and being closer to son John, who watched over her after Dr. Joe Valenza’s passing.

Mrs. Valenza is survived by her five children, Christine (Bill) Staley of Nashville; Dr. J. Michael (Martha) Valenza of Austin; Robert (Angela) Valenza of Brighton, Colorado; Dr. John Valenza of Houston; and Dr. Paul Valenza of Kerrville; grandchildren, Betsy Butler, Brad Pierce, Shonda Mace, Melissa Valenza Bogaard, Bethany Valenza Bliss, Ryan Valenza, Brandon Valenza, Carly Valenza King, Broc Boyd, Lila Lebrand-Schmitz, Jason Valenza, Nicolas Valenza; and great-grandchildren, Bailey Bliss, Kierra Boyd, Mylee Boyd, Jaiden Bliss, Luke Pierce, Jonah Bogaard, Lilian Pierce, Piper King (due in April 2013).

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, daughter-in-law, Janet M. Valenza, of Austin, and by her husband, Joe.

The family would especially like to thank the caring staff of Holly Hall, Memorial Hermann-TMC, and Houston Hospice, for the great love and care given to our mother.

A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 2nd of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where a reception is to follow.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Elizabeth Valenza may be directed to the Holly Hall Retirement Community, 2000 Holly Hall St., Houston, TX, 77054; the Memorial Hermann Foundation, 929 Gessner Rd., Suite 2650, Houston, TX, 77024; or to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030.