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Obituary
“By the explicit wishes of Valerie, the visitation and funeral is limited to immediate family only.” (Please no flowers- See below)
In loving memory of Valerie L. Bongiorno
December 17, 1948–October 14, 2023
Passed away at the age of 74.
Beloved wife of James Bongiorno, 57 years.
Loving mother of Danette (Aldo) Stenta, Darlene (Paul) Fleser, and James Bongiorno Jr.
Dearest Grammy of Abigail, Alexander (Emily), Grace, Jake, Bridget, Blaze, Brian, and Beatrice.
She is survived by her brother Raymond Denback, Jr.
She is preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Martha Denback.
Valerie was born on December 17, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. She met her husband James Bongiorno at Lincoln Park High School. They married on October 7, 1966 and started their family young and had 3 children together. Valerie lived her life where being a wife, mom to her 3 children, and Grammy to her grandchildren were the most important things in her life.
Valerie received her associates business degree from Schoolcraft College. She held numerous jobs from working at local department stores, being a preschool teacher, a landlord of apartments she owned with her husband, and a bookkeeper and office manager at her husbands business, PlanTech Inc.
Her role as Grammy, which she adored, started in 1994. She always welcomed the grand kids with the biggest loving hug, their favorite meals and treats, and gifts no matter the occasion.
She loved her beautifully and personally designed Farmington Hills home and took pride in caring for it. The house was always perfect. There was clean, and then there was “Bongiorno clean”. She loved cooking and nightly family dinners were tradition. Valerie loved her family beyond measure and longed to spend as much time with them as possible. Valerie always loved hosting the holidays. She would spend days preparing the home for family visits. Meal prep would begin with research for new recipes days before arrival. Beautifully presented appetizers, happy hour (or hours), soups, salads, an always delicious main entree, homemade desserts, and beautifully set tables to top it off. She was selfless and loved providing for others.
Valerie was stunning and always beautifully put together. From her hair, nails, and makeup, to her perfectly coordinated outfits with the perfect shoe, jewelry, jacket and bag to match. She loved shopping it was her favorite hobby. If she wasn’t home, everybody knew where her car was parked at the mall. She could always find the best deals and always had a coupon.
She loved traveling with her husband Jim all throughout the United States and Europe but she especially loved Italy and Sicily. Together have been on over 20 cruises taking them all around the world. When not traveling she loved her days on their boat enjoying the Great Lakes, spending evenings dancing and dining at their clubs, and spending weeks at their vacation home in Jupiter, Florida.
She always found a way to celebrate. She loved to laugh with her beautiful smile, dance her heart out, and hum along to her favorite songs. Her time with us was cut way too short by the cruel and evil disease, Alzheimer’s. Everyone has something to learn from her selflessness and humility.
The family would like to extend their profound gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff of Canterfield of Fort Myers (https://www.canterfieldseniorliving.com/fortmyers) . We are extraordinarily grateful for the love and compassionate service you provided to our beloved Wife, Mom, and Grammy.
The family encourages awareness in the research, development, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida, and Canterfield of Fort Myers (https://www.canterfieldseniorliving.com/fortmyers). Please consider a donation that would benefit the advancement of treatment or cure of this dreadful disease.
In lieu of flowers being sent to the funeral home, the family suggests you consider sending any flowers to Canterfield of Fort Myers ( https://www.canterfieldseniorliving.com/fortmyers ) or your local memory care community where those residents can enjoy them in loving memory of Valerie Bongiorno.
Valerie Bongiorno’s warm heart and dedication to her family will be forever remembered and cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her. She may be gone, but her legacy will live on forever.
