Jodi M. Labukas

Jodi M. Labukas, beloved daughter of Frank A. Valenti and Veronica A. Valenti (née Moore), passed away surrounded by the love of her family. She was the devoted wife of the late John C. Labukas. Jodi and John met at an industry party at Anthony’s Pier 4 in Boston in 1982 and were married in 1984 at Farmington Woods Country Club in Avon, Connecticut.

Together they shared a loving marriage filled with adventure, laughter, and cherished memories. Jodi enjoyed a distinguished 42-year career in the reinsurance brokerage industry. She spent 35 years with Guy Carpenter, a Marsh company, where she earned the respect of colleagues throughout the industry. Earlier in her career, she became the first female principal in the reinsurance division of TPF&C, a milestone that reflected her talent, determination, and leadership.

She retired from Guy Carpenter in February 2010. Jodi was a graduate of St. Mary’s School in Rosebank, Staten Island, New York, and St. Peter’s High School for Girls in St. George, Staten Island. She continued her education at the College of Insurance (now St. John’s University), studying insurance and reinsurance, and later completed business management courses at Princeton University. Although her roots were firmly planted in Staten Island, Jodi made homes in many places she loved, including New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood and the Connecticut communities of Hartford, North Branford, West Hartford, Avon, Farmington, and Stamford. She treasured her years in both Farmington, Connecticut, and Battery Park City.

In 1987, Jodi and John purchased lakefront property on Highland Lake in Stoddard, New Hampshire. They built their dream home there and spent countless happy years enjoying everything lake life had to offer before fulfilling their dream of retiring in Stoddard. They delighted in the breathtaking sunsets and the abundant wildlife, including bald eagles, hawks, herons, otters, mink, bears, deer, wild turkeys, and even a moose that once wandered down their driveway. They loved their Stoddard community and treasured the many friendships and memories they made with neighbors over the years.

Jodi was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and rarely missed completing the daily crossword puzzles in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Growing up, she loved playing paddleball with her brothers. She and John were devoted dog lovers and always carried dog biscuits in their pockets for the furry friends they met along the way. Her beloved dog, Pepper, was her faithful companion for 14 wonderful years. One of Jodi’s greatest joys was hosting Thanksgiving for family and friends at their home in Stoddard. Throughout her life, Jodi traveled extensively for both business and pleasure, visiting Brazil, Iceland, Switzerland, France, Germany, England, and many destinations across the United States. One of her proudest memories was treating her parents to a trip to San Francisco, where her mother experienced air travel for the very first time.

With great sadness, Jodi left her beloved Stoddard home in July 2025 to be closer to family in New Jersey. There, she was surrounded by the love and care of her family and new friends. She cherished weekly family visits, dinners and barbecues, countless Starbucks runs, New Jersey pizza and bagels, and many shopping trips with her newest friend, Diane Vazquez.

Family meant everything to Jodi. She is survived by her brothers, Frank A. Valenti Jr. and Joseph P. Valenti; her sisters-in-law, Barbara Valenti and Sherri Friedlander; her nieces and nephews, Jennifer Felice, Danielle Rivera, Christine Valenti, Jaime Sicari, Steven Orleman, Brandi Austin, Veronica Valenti, and Robert Valenti; eight great-nieces and great-nephews; and five beloved godchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, John C. Labukas; her brother, Robert Valenti; and her sister, Mary Valenti. Jodi was the heart of her family—a loving matriarch whose generosity, strength, and unwavering support touched every life she encountered. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 25th at 10:30am in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow the funeral mass in the Dow Hill Cemetery, School Street, Stoddard, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jodi’s memory to the Stoddard Fire & Rescue Association, P.O. Box 268, Stoddard, NH 03464-0268.