Valerie Ann Wright

Valerie Ann (Cusano) Wright, 80, of East Hampton, passed away peacefully at her home on November 25, 2025. Born on July 14, 1945, in Southington, CT, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sophie (Grabelski) Cusano.

Valerie was the beloved wife of John Wright, with whom she shared 53 beautiful years of marriage after uniting in 1972. Early in her adult life, Valerie spent a short but meaningful time in San Francisco before returning to Connecticut to be with John whom she had met before moving west. Their shared life was one filled with love, dedication, and mutual respect.

Valerie later found her true calling in compassionate care. She served for many years as a Unit Secretary for the Middlesex Hospital Inpatient Hospice Unit. Even after her retirement around 2018, Valerie’s heart for service brought her back as a volunteer, continuing to support patients and families during life’s most tender moments. Her devotion was recognized in 2019 when she received the Heart of Hospice and Pulse of Palliative Care Award from Middlesex Hospital—an honor reflecting her remarkable kindness and impact.

Valerie’s love of community also extended beyond healthcare. As a devoted volunteer at the East Hampton Library, her efforts earned her the Hometown Hero Award in 1986. She cherished being involved and giving her time wherever she felt she could make a difference.

Outside of her volunteer work, Valerie surrounded herself with a long, ever-growing list of friends and family whose relationships she cherished throughout all of life’s moments. She maintained lifelong friendships with numerous childhood friends in Southington. Valerie and John also spent many treasured summers on Lake Pocotopaug with some of their closest friends. Holidays were always spent surrounded with lots of love, laughter, and family. Later in life, Valerie learned to golf and spent many cherished hours on the greens with a close-knit group of golfing friends. Valerie was an extraordinary storyteller, always eager to share memories, wisdom, and humor that all of these moments blessed her with.

Above all, Valerie loved her family deeply. In addition to her husband John, she is survived by her son, Jason Wright, and his wife Suzanne; her daughter, Diana Wright; her brother, Joseph Cusano; sister-in-law, Lucille Cusano wife of her late brother Robert Cusano; and brother-in-law, Donald Wright, and his wife Betty. She was also predeceased by her sister, Barbara Waddell and Barbara’s husband, Thomas.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 4–7 p.m. at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Church 1050 Flanders Rd. Soutington. All are asked to meet directly at the church the morning of the Mass. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Middlesex Hospital, c/o Hospice & Palliative Care Unit, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457.

To share a message of remembrance with the family, please visit: www.DellaVecchiaSouthington.com