Diane M. Valek

Mass of Christian Burial Friday, May 6, 2022 at 11 AM at Sacred Hearts – St. Stephen Church, 125 Summit Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Burial to follow at Linden Hill Cemetery, Ridgewood NY

The link for the live stream of the Funeral Mass is available here for those who cannot attend in-person.

It is with profound sadness that the family of Diane M. Valek announce her passing on Friday, April 1, 2022 at the age of 80. Diane aka Aunt Di and Sister Rose Paul was born in Brooklyn on June 3rd, 1941.  She was loving daughter of the late Rose and Paul. Cherished sister of Marilyn Smith (Joe), Elizabeth Balsamo (Dominick) and her late brother Jack (Jean). Adoring aunt of several loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. and many loving friends.  Diane had a very fulfilled life.

She went to St Mary Star of the Sea school, St Michaels H.S., NYU, BA Sociology and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing.    

Among her professional accomplishments were the following: Staff Nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Younkers; Director of Special Services at St. Joseph’s Children’s Services in Brooklyn; Director of Development & Public Relations of Visiting Nurse Association of Brooklyn; Director of Development & Public Relations at A Program Planned for Life Enrichment in Hauppauge; Executive Director of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County in Hauppauge; President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama in Georgia; Director of the Western Region at Starlight Starbright in L.A.. She retired to Fort Lauderdale where she became involved with St. Henry’s Church, Pompano Beach. While there she was a Eucharistic Minister, Server & Lector.  She was an Associate member of the Sisters of Charity of NY (Riverdale)  and President of St Henry’s Council of Catholic Woman.  She was a certified fund raising executive since 1991. She loved what she did and loved kids.