Jennie Marie (Nistico) Valente

View the Mass of Christian Burial below

NORTH GREENBUSH - Giovanna (Montello) Valente, known to all who loved her as Jennie, passed to eternal life with our Lord on April 24, 2025. She was 96 years young. She was born on January 18, 1929 in Cardinale, Calabria, Italy to Catherine and Domenico Nistico.

When she was eight years old, she and her brother, Dominic, age 6, traveled alone to Ellis Island, New York. Soon after, she and Dominic were reunited with their mother, Catherine and stepfather, Caesar Montello, later settling in Troy, N.Y. on Havermans Avenue, where Jennie grew up. She attended Troy schools until the age of 16 years old.  She then left school to work at The Cluett Peabody shirt factory in Troy.

At the age of 20, she married her neighbor, the love of her life, Anthony “Stretch” Valente. She and Stretch later moved to Kentucky while he served in the US Army. It was in Kentucky that their eldest son, Stephen Anthony was born.  Upon completion of Stretch’s service, they moved to and settled in Troy, New York and eventually moved to their forever home in North Greenbush.

Jennie was a lifetime communicant of Saint Jude’s Church in Wynantskill and belonged to the Rosary Alter Society. All of her children attended St. Jude’s Catholic school where she served as a weekly lunchroom volunteer. 

Her greatest joy in life was her family. She hosted Sunday Italian dinners every week for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They featured her amazing meatballs, braciole, and sauce, followed by her incredible homemade baked desserts. It was during these dinners that cousins bonded, laughter filled the air, and we all learned from each other, growing closer as a family. Her love, shared through every meal, will always be a part of us. 

Jennie rarely missed an opportunity to attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, taking pride in practicing with her grandsons on how to hit a baseball; she was hopeful that her influence and prayers would pave the way for their success.

She was a renowned prayer warrior who always prayed for her children and grandchildren, accepting every prayer request, whatever the need. Her faith in God was strong, pure and contagious. Despite difficult losses in her life, Jennie’s faith never wavered, instead she grew stronger and closer to our Lord, inspiring everyone around her. 

Sadly she is predeceased by her loving husband of 37 years, Anthony “Stretch” Valente and also by her dear son, Stephen Anthony Valente, and precious daughter, Sharon Anne Valente.

Jennie is survived by her cherished children, Roddy Valente, (Mary) of Loudonville, Jennifer Milanese, (Drew) of North Greenbush, Kathy Casale, (Mack) of North Greenbush.  She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, Anthony Valente, (Erin), Daniella Valente Redgrave, (Dave), Stephen J Valente, (Jessica) Stephen, A. Valente, (Michelle), Anthony Casale, (Christy), David Casale, (Nicolette), Alyssa Andresen, (Corey), Natalia Dungan, (Sean), and Joseph Casale and her 23 great grandchildren, who brought her endless joy: David, Liliana, and Michael Redgrave; Adriana and Aubrey Valente; Tenley, Adalyn, Stephen, and Vivia Valente; RJ and Sonny Valente; Joella, Anthony, and Priya Casale; Mack, Luca, and Enza Casale; Isla, Cruz, and Solei Andresen; and Matthew, Von, and Vala Dungan.

She is also predeceased by her dear sister, Nicolina “Nicky” Danei (Gus), her beloved brother, Dominic “Chaz” Montello (Katie), and step- siblings, Nicholas Montello (Pat), Dominic “Sailor” Montello (Anna), Joseph “Dinny” Montello (Geraldine) and Frank Montello.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Jude the Apostle Church Brookside Avenue Wynantskill with Rev. James Walsh, Deacon Al Censullo, Deacon Marty Dinan. 

Visitations will be received immediately following the Mass at St. Jude’s on Monday, from 11AM - 1PM. The graveside service will be held promptly at 1:30PM in St. Mary's Cemetery Troy.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of the third floor at Van Rensselaer Manor for the exceptional care, compassion, and love they provided to our mom throughout the final year of her life. Your kindness and dedication meant the world to her and to all of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions may be made in memory of Jennie Marie Valente to the St. Jude's School, 42 Dana Avenue Wynantskill, NY 12198 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.  

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