Valerie Elise Lanese

Valerie Elise Lanese: A Life That Shared Its Light

Valerie Elise Lanese was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 29, 1941, to Dr. Val and Elsie Mastny of Shaker Heights. The youngest of three sisters, she grew up in Shaker Heights and University Heights with energy and determination that would remain with her throughout her life. She was proud of her Czechoslovakian heritage and her Catholic faith, and the friendships she made at Beaumont School stayed close to her heart long after she graduated.

Valerie carried her love of learning and helping others to Kent State, where she earned a degree in education. Teaching was more than a career to her: it was a way to share her gifts and encourage others. She taught at the Hebrew Academy and in Chagrin Falls, then spent many years as an educator in the Cleveland Public School System. While teaching and raising her children, she continued her studies and earned a master's degree in education, a testament to her determination and her belief in what she could accomplish.

She brought that same generous spirit to her family. Valerie made a home filled with love, good food, and dogs for Tom and their three sons. She cooked and cleaned, dreamed up projects, built and repaired things, played guitar, made crafts, and worked in the garden. She harvested honey and maple syrup and knitted and crocheted intricate patterns for her family and to welcome new little ones into the world. Her favorite tool was a jigsaw, not the most powerful tool for every job, perhaps, but one she could manage. With Val's will, there was always a way.

The family's time together was full of making and doing. They built snow forts, shaped snow sculptures, made their own ice rink, and worked on patios, gardens, and observation decks. They swam at community pools, and Valerie spent countless hours cheering from the bleachers at wrestling matches for her sons and grandsons. She taught her sons by example that life need not be caught in a cycle of consuming and wanting more. Time with family and service to others mattered more.

This season of life gave Valerie time to make precious memories with her grandsons, Brodie and Barrett. Together they went on field trips, rode rollercoasters, went boating, put on plays, built forts, and climbed trees. They developed a love for nightly story time and celebrated Valerie being "Grandma." She also spent time with them in college, sharing her love of education and belief in living life to the fullest. Her special bond with Brodie and Barrett was priceless.

Valerie's faith was woven into her everyday life. Sundays and receiving the Holy Eucharist were especially important to her. She carried with her a prayer she had learned at camp:

"God, make my life a little light within the world to glow a little light that shineth bright wherever I shall go. God make my life a little flower that giveth joy to all content to bloom in native bower although the place shall be small. God, make my life a little staff whereon the weak may rest so that what health and strength I have can serve my neighbor best."

She modeled the Christian faith not through preaching, but through the way she lived: selflessly caring for family, friends, and even people she had only just met. She believed in hard work and in passing her light along. She loved watching people, striking up conversations, and making new friends. Through simple, daily acts, she showed her love for others and for God's creation.

Life brought Valerie many health battles, which she met with faith, resilience, determination, love, and a positive outlook. Her energy also found its way into adventure and the outdoors. She loved nature and gardening, and took joy in the work of planting, weeding, tending, harvesting, and preserving. For weeks each year, she canned and preserved the garden's bounty.

For more than twenty years, Valerie and Tom traveled between their winter retreat in Sun City Hilton Head and the "Ranch" in Willoughby Hills. Wherever she was, her greatest joy was being surrounded by family. Her constant smile, sunshine, and contagious laughter became a guiding light to those who knew her. She had a special love for Peter Pan and a childlike zest for life, full of wonder and the belief that dreams could come true. Her marvelous sense of humor and treasury of funny anecdotes and stories made her company a delight.

Valerie's love and care reached far beyond her home. She was a mentor, counselor, and friend; a beloved sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and godmother. She is survived by her sons, Tim Lanese, Todd Lanese and his wife, Amy, and Brian and his wife, Tracy; her grandsons, Brodie and Barrett; her sisters, Jeanne Bolton and Roberta Wingerter; cousin and great friend Jim Vinci; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and godchildren; and her beloved dog, Louie.

Even in her final week, Valerie was living in the way that came naturally to her: attending a blues concert, hiking, gardening, taking friends to dinner, and visiting nursing homes with Louie. She had finished weeks of canning and preserving and was preparing to head to her Lowcountry home for the winter. Valerie passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 24, 2026, just days before her eighty-fifth birthday. She leaves behind a life full of love, energy, faith, service, and joy and the many people who will continue to feel her light.

In her journal, Valerie shared advice that sounds like her life in a few simple words:

"Smile at everyone because it's a gift without words. Your spirit will automatically lift up others. Live life to the fullest. Enjoy each moment and when there are sad moments, look up at the clouds. The sky always turns blue again after the rain- sometimes we just have to wait and be patient. Moments are like the passing clouds."

It is never easy to say goodbye. We can, though, celebrate a life so fully and lovingly lived, and carry Valerie with us in the kindness and joy she inspired.

In lieu of flowers, please share Valerie's gift of love: call someone you love, share a smile, watch a sunrise, console a child or friend, feel the wind and rain, dance, journal, or share your gifts and talents with others. Belly laugh and let your inner child come out. As long as we love one another, Valerie will live within us. We will remember and celebrate her in all that we do. May the Lord grant her a special place in the garden of the kingdom of Heaven.

Memorial Mass Saturday, November 7, 2026 at St. Noel Catholic Church, 35200 Chardon Rd, Willoughby at 11AM.