Josephine Valente

08/30/2001

Josephine Valente, 101, of East Street died yesterday at home. Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, on March 13, 1900, daughter of Benito and Maria Mercado Quinones, she moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in 1923. She and her husband, Louis Valente, owned a grocery store in the Bronx, N.Y. They moved to Great Barrington in 1954 and Mrs. Valente became employed by the former Pine Tree Restaurant and the former Yurkees' Drugstore. She was also employed by Becton Dickenson in Connecticut from 1962 until her retirement in 1975. A seamstress, she was employed making doll clothing while in New York. She enjoyed cooking, lively music and spending time with her family. Her husband, whom she married in 1947, died July 27, 1980. She leaves her daughter and caregiver, Moraima Arce of Great Barrington; a brother, Francisco Quinones Sr. of Latham, N.Y.; two sisters, Elaine Casanova of Hudson, N.Y., and Tomasa Ortiz of the Bronx; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves a caregiver and niece, Elizabeth Perez of Ashley Falls. The funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 1, at 10 at the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington, conducted by Lucas Quinones. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends from 9 until the time of the service. Those who desire may make contributions in Mrs. Valente's memory to the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad or the Berkshire Visiting Nurses through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, reflections and memories may be sent to the family at finnerty@bcn.net.

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