Valerie Therese Kelly

KELLY, Valerie Therese (nee Garino), 83, of Sun City Center, FL, formerly of Westwood, NJ, passed away June 7, 2017. Valerie is survived by her children Daniel, Kathleen Shelton and her husband Paul, and Michael and his wife Jennifer. Her grandchildren Benjamin and Emily, as well as her brother Ronald Garino and his wife Aine. She is predeceased by her dearest husband James, sister Catherine Garino and daughter Claire. Valerie was born in Corona, NY on October 3, 1933 to the late Ronald and Marguerite (nee Duffy) Garino. She attended Our Lady Of Sorrows Grammar School in Corona, NY and St. Agnes Academic Girl’s High School in College Point, NY. She made lifelong friends at her time employed by Equitable Insurance Company. In the 1950’s, Valerie moved to Cresskill, NJ and married James Kelly. In the 1960’s they moved to Westwood, NJ. After her husband’s death in 1970, Valerie worked for the Bergen County Welfare board, retiring after 23 years of dedicated service. In 1995 she moved to Sun City Center, FL where she began her well-deserved fun and relaxation. She joined the Hawaiian dancers, learned Tai-Chi, played bridge and was active in her Condo board. Throughout her life Valerie loved to dance! She was a great hostess and was known for her Lemon Meringue Pie. She could cane a chair, paint a room, sew a costume, build a dollhouse, do the Lindy, recite epic poems, whistle like a bird and sing ballads of the Civil War. Valerie always felt her life was blessed with wonderful friends. Her kindness and wise advice will be missed by all who knew her. The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd, Westwood, NJ on Sunday, July 9th from 1-4PM. She will join her husband at Pinelawn Cemetery on Monday, July 10th. Memorial contributions can be made in Valerie’s name to the National Empysema Foundation, 128 E. Ave. #7, Norwalk, CT 06851.