Valerie J. Albano

Valerie (Vendoloski) Albano, age 102, died peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at her home. Val (or Vera) was born in Northampton to the late Raymond and Rose Vendoloski and was the last surviving sibling of fifteen. She left school at an early age to work for the next five decades at the William Carter Company. She was a prominent member of the AFL-CIO Lady Garment Workers Union, where she also proudly served representing her fellow employees as shop steward until her retirement in 1986. Upon her retirement she continued to work at The Dough Show, her son’s restaurant in Springfield, MA.

Earlier this year she was honored by the Town of East Longmeadow with the ‘Golden Cane’ award as the celebration of her one hundred and second birthday.
Valerie seemed inexhaustible and was constantly in motion. She settled into life at Brownstone Gardens in the last twenty-five years and found community and friendships in abundance over that time. She loved her apartment and cleaning and she was proud to keep it immaculate. She reveled in her independence and enjoyed a packed social schedule that included weekly trips to the Dollar Store and Big Y, afternoons with friends, bingo, movie nights, and football. She always rooted for the Patriots and her favorite player, Tom Brady.

Valerie was predeceased by her beloved husband Louis Albano in 1981. She is survived by her devoted son Kenneth Luce and his wife Barbara of East Longmeadow, her granddaughters; Kelley Roche and her partner Kevin Tullar and Corinne Sheehan and her husband Timothy, great grandchildren; Jackson, Melanie, Kate and Conor, as well as several nieces. She is also survived by some amazing friends who loved and supported her every day and with whom she shared so many years of companionship. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have had her in their lives. The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care they provided Valerie in her final months. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Wilbraham Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.