Mary Valastro

Valastro, Mary WATERVLIET Mary Opalka Valastro, 92, died peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glen Falls. Born in Maplewood, N.Y., on October 10, 1918, Mary was the daughter of the late Jacob and Mary Proc Opalka. She was raised and educated in Maple-wood where she resided until 1956 when she married her beloved husband, Dominick "Colonel" Valastro, who died in 1998, and soon after moved to Watervliet. Mary resided in Watervliet for many years before moving to Countryside Adult Assisted Living in Warrensburg and more recently to the Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glens Falls. Mary was employed by Cluett, Peabody and Co., Denby's Department Store and the Peerless Department Store, all in Troy, and more recently for the former Two Guys Department Store in Menands. She was a member of Soyuz Ukrainok, the Watervliet Lodge of Elks Ladies Auxiliary and the former Sacred Heart of Mary Church ladies auxiliary and was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Watervliet. Mary is survived by her loving son, James D. Valastro of Queensbury, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Olga Sicko, Eva Farron, Libby, Andrew and Michael Opalka. Mary's family extends a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all the staff of the Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the dedicated and loving care given to Mary during her stay. Funeral service on Monday at 10 a.m. from the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, and at 10:30 in St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Watervliet. Interment will follow in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Maplewood, N.Y. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4 until 7 p.m. during which time the Parastas service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2410-4th Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 in Mary's memory. For directions and guest book, please visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.