Louise Elizabeth Valentine

Louise Elizabeth Valentine, 71, of New York, NY passed away at Froedtert Memorial Hospital on January 17, 2017. Preceded in death by her husband Gerald David Valentine, her parents “Mommy” Rosa Mae Eden and “Daddy” Cleveland James Eden, and her grandmother “Mama” Louise Willis. Adored and beloved mother of Gerelle Valentine-Thurman, Donna Valentine, Christina Valentine,  Gerald Valentine and Matthew Valentine.  Dear older sister of Cecelia Burgess, Jackie Eden, Cleveland Eden, Vernard Eden, Denise Eden, and Lloyd Eden. Further loved by seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

From 1984 to 1987, she owned and operated a foster home for abused children called First Period of Life Boarding Sanctuary in Carmel, California and was a teacher/adult educator for teen mothers with the Los Angeles School District for 23 years.

She was a brightly intelligent, wise and philosophical, determined, confident, strong-willed woman with tremendous pride, but was also sensitive and tender as a loving mother profoundly devoted to her children. She was a fierce advocate for her children, of whom she was intensely protective, and always went above and beyond to provide for them.

An enthusiastic, articulate speaker, who told stories with lively humor  often quoting her grandmother, whom she deeply admired, will be fondly remembered for her vibrant spirit, dynamic wit, brilliant smile, and her genuine, endearingly unique, high-pitched laugh.

She was a progressive thinker, who stayed up-to-date with trends, appreciating new technology,  collecting new electronics, having  an eclectic taste in music ( even loving Hard Rock!), who inspired her children to always grow, adapt and evolve.

Cooking, interior decorating, recreationally arranging colorful floral displays inside her home and in her garden, planting cactus, aloe plants, vegetables, assembling puzzles, watching movies (especially action movies starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Depp, and Harry Potter) as well as arguably her favorite movies: 1998’s Godzilla, End of Days, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End),  shopping online, especially for clothes, collecting fashionable hair nets (and wore a different one every day), Blu-rays, miniature potted cactus, cooking appliances,  Raggedy Ann dolls, and taking  pride in accumulating and using various natural herbs, especially Chinese herbs were all things she enjoyed doing.

A get-together to honor her memory and celebrate her life will be held on February 11, 2017, from 5:00 PM-10:00 PM.  Family and friends are welcome to attend. Call Matthew or Donna for directions.