ELKHART — Valerie Grace Starkweather, 78, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday evening, Aug. 3, at her home, after a battle with cancer.
She was born Dec. 21, 1937, in Hartford, Conn., to Prosper and Louise (Zaccaro) Rossano.
Surviving are her children, daughter Diana L. Cole (Fred Sawyer), and a son, Troy A. Starkweather (Nora Fisher) both of Elkhart; four loving grandchildren, Justin Cole, Travis Cole, Rachel Starkweather and Joshua Starkweather; one great-grandson. Kayden Beard-Cole.; and her brother, Anthony "Tony" Rossano of Newington, Conn.
Valerie was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Joseph, Louis and John Rossano and a sister, Janette Pappagallo.
Valerie graduated in 1956 from Hartford (Conn.) High School. She moved with her family to the Elkhart area in 1975, and retired from Sapa Industries after 34 years of service. She enjoyed reading and also watching the Cubs, Red Sox, Bears, Patriots and the U of Michigan on TV. Valerie served her country as a WAC in the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged in 1963. She was a member of the American Legion Post 143 in Bristol.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart.
The evening will conclude with military honors by the U.S Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19.
The family kindly request memorials to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County.
To share a memory of Valerie or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.