Branko Sergio Valenti

VALENTI BRANKO SERGIO VALENTI (Age 87) Passed away peacefully with family at his side in his home in Falls Church, Virginia on July 30, 2013. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer in May. He was born on September 17, 1925 in Villa Decani, Italy to Mario and Olga (Dellasavia) Valenti. Following World War II, he left his rural home to attend the University of Modena Medical School in Modena, Italy where he received a Medical Doctor degree in 1953. He practiced for four years in Trieste before deciding to immigrate to the United States. He completed an internship at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey, followed by a year of OB-GYN residency at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey. He completed his OB-GYN residency at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC (1960-63). He was Board certified and a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He had served as President of the Morgagni Medical Society. He was also a member of the Fairfax County Medical Society. In July 1963, he opened his practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Fairfax, Virginia where he practiced until his retirement in May 1997. He was associated with and had privileges at Inova Fairfax Hospital as well as Arlington Hospital, Alexandria Hospital, and Common- wealth Doctor's Hospital Fairfax. He brought many babies into the world and had great care and compassion for all his patients. As one former patient affectionately said, "He meant what he said but didn't say it meanly, and brought bad news gently and good news joyously". Passionate about education, history, politics, travel and "all things stylish", he enjoyed the company of friends and family, particularly around tables full of good food and wine. He strictly reserved his Fridays for a luncheon with beloved former colleagues. He enjoyed playing cards with his Italian friends. He loved to ski with his group of ski friends and was last on his skis at age 82. Branko's magnetic charm, sparkling blue eyes, and mischievous humor reflected his spirit which attracted an ever expanding circle of friends. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling to all regions of the world with his wife. Branko was the beloved husband of Dunya (Paoletti) Valenti for 55 years. He met her at a Christmas dance on the Feast of St. Nicholas in December 1953. Traveling alone in 1957, he immigrated to the States to establish himself professionally. Within a year, he returned to marry Dunya at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Trieste, Italy. He was a loving father to Monique Brannon and her husband Shaun, Simonne Zarbin and her husband Robert, and Maya Wilder and her husband Michael. He was an engaged and exuberant grandfather to Alexandra Wilder, Tristan Brannon, Christian Wilder, Dana Brannon, Isabella Wilder, Gino Zarbin, and Ava Zarbin. He was a devoted brother to his sister Miranda Valenti and caring uncle to Bruno Sturman. In his final days, he was deeply moved by the outpouring of care and affection from his friends, his colleagues, his patients and the children, now grown, that he'd brought into this world. He will be deeply missed by his family and those whose lives he had touched. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2013 from 6-8 pm at Murphy's Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 10 am on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 3300 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society .