Valerie Marie Nigro, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, family member, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at the age of 79, on February 12, 2023. She was under the care of Hospice of the Valley at Robson Reserve in Sun Lakes, Arizona.
Valerie was born on September 23, 1943, in Buffalo, New York to Virginia and Guido Crapsi. She was the oldest of their six children and had a large extended family, including her grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and cousins. As a young child, she learned Italian and sewing from her grandparents. She also helped out as a waitress at her aunt’s restaurant, Chestnut Hollow.
After graduating from high school, Valerie spent the summer as an exchange student in Ecuador, an experience she always remembered and talked about fondly. Her family also hosted several exchange students, which helped her appreciation for other languages and cultures to grow. Valerie enrolled in Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College) as a Spanish major and studied in Madrid, Spain for her junior year. During that year, she traveled throughout Spain and Europe with her friend Mary Kay.
With her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Valerie was able to continue using her Spanish skills after college as a Vista volunteer in El Paso, Texas. She also taught at Nardin Academy in Buffalo, NY. In 1968, she married Bart, who she had met through her involvement in the Catholic Youth Organization, and they had four children, Bart, Jr., Linnea, Brian, and Kimberly. Staying home to raise her children was important to Valerie, so she received training in Montessori preschool education and opened her own Montessori school in their basement in Williamsville, New York. After the family moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1980, Valerie shifted to volunteering as a Spanish teacher at her children’s school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Valerie was a dedicated volunteer at our Lady of Mount Carmel parish for many years. In addition to volunteering at the school, she was a prefect and active member of the Women’s Sodality and a member of the rosary and Bible study groups. She also received the Catholic Woman of the Year award from the Diocese of Phoenix. After Bart retired, Valerie and Bart traveled to Israel in 2000 and volunteered for ten years with St. Vincent de Paul. On moving to Sun Lakes in 2013, Valerie and Bart became involved at St. Steven’s parish.
Her faith, family, and friends were the things that mattered the most to Valerie. She loved being a grandmother (“Nonni”) to her seven grandchildren and spending time with family and friends. Throughout her life, she kept in touch with countless relatives, neighbors, and friends from all aspects of her life, writing sweet cards and notes with prayers or newspaper clippings. All who knew Valerie were touched by her thoughtfulness, kindness, and selflessness.
Valerie was preceded in death by her husband Bart, Sr., her son Bart, Jr.; her parents Virginia and Guido Crapsi; and her brother the Honorable Paul V. Crapsi. She is survived by three children: Linnea Nigro, of Denver, Colorado; Brian Nigro, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Kimberly Douglas (Walter), of Gilbert, Arizona; seven grandchildren (Madeline, Isabella, Nathaniel, Christopher, Sheamus, Bart John-Paul, and Virginia); sisters Vanessa Harris (John) and Venita Fay (Robert), brothers Daniel Crapsi (Ginny Temple) and Vincent Crapsi (Sheri Ruark Kennedy); and various in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation for Valerie will be held on Monday, February 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, with praying of the rosary beginning at 4:30 p.m. Valerie’s funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, February 21, at 10 a.m. at Saint Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, Arizona. Following the mass, a graveside service and reception at Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ 85248.
Donations may be made in Valerie’s memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Arizona, Maggie’s Place, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Visitation for Valerie: Monday, February 20, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248
• Rosary Service: Monday, February 20, 2023 from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM, Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248.
• Funeral Service: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Saint Stevens Catholic Church, 24827 S Dobson Rd, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.
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• Graveside Service: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248.
• Reception: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Nigro family.
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