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.
My girl I miss you tremendously. I wish I can have one more Convo and smile and another hug. Thank you for the best caretaker experience an aide can have. With so much love your CC 💖.
Love your side, Chrisstie
I was so glad to know her here in Pompano Beach. She was a wonderful person. I miss her a lot!
We love and miss you Di. You know that you are in our thoughts and prayers always.
What a beautiful obituary of a beautiful sister in law! God bless Liz!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Diane was a very very intelligent sister in law! She helped so many people in her lifetime! She surely will be missed by many! Super great lady & person to all! Love Jean valek!❤️❤️🙏🙏🎈🎈🌈🌈
I am so deeply sorry for your loss and heavens gain. God bless you all. She was absolutely an amazing person
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and former co-worker. I had the distinct privilege to share part of my life with Diane Valek when I applied for a job as Development Officer, of the Western Division of Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation in 2006.
Most of my background was working in the non-profit world of AIDS Research, working to keep hope alive for so many suffering from the disease including myself back in the 1990’s.
As we shared pieces of ourselves, I began to feel this amazing energy surrounding my soul, it was Diane’s pure love of spirit reaching out to me. It’s hard to explain, for those that connected on a spiritual level understand.
It was as if she opened herself to show me her true authentic self. Diane had this nurturing motherly energy coming from her, it was heavenly.
Her answer to my last question which I always share with my potential employers and that was that I’m HIV Positive and have been for 32 years. When I mentioned it to Diane, she laughed then began to share her additional health issues to me. Well, I have an artificial hip, and began to go on and on so I felt at home working for her. Diane was one of the most God loving souls that had come along in sometime. As I say, just what the doctor ordered.
She really lit up the room with her knowledge as well as her personality. We would travel to Portland for business where I grew up. We spent one of the days traveling the sites that were some of the most beautiful places on earth. I review those photos every now and then. I am so blessed that we shared a few years of our life together. Her soul is etched in my heart for eternity.
Thank you, Diane, for touching my heart and soul.
Diane I miss you; lucky to have known you! Better for it Virginia Leonard Hoey