Valentine R. "Baci" Rodowicz

FUNERAL HOME

Joseph A. Quinn, Inc. Funeral Directors

5358 Roosevelt Boulevard

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Valentine Rodowicz Obituary

RODOWICZ
VALENTINE R. "BACI" (nee Mlodzinski), July 15, 2005, wife of the late Francis G. and mother of Cecile Ritter, Francis X. and Richard F. (Tina); also survived by her grandchildren Raymond, Richard and Matthew Orysiek, Richard, Francis, Valentina and Keith Rodowicz and sister of Ceil Ries, Edwin Young, Loretta Agnew and the late Sr. M. Philonilla, C.S.F.N. and Thaddeus Mlodzinski. Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass Tues. 8 P.M. at St. Martin of Tours (Lower) Church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd where friends may call after 6:30 P.M. Funeral Procession to Holy Sepulchre Cem. leaves Wed. 10 A.M. from THE JOSEPH A. QUINN FUNERAL HOME, cor. Roosevelt Blvd. and Sanger St. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to SPIN, Inc., 10521 Drummond Rd., Phila., PA 19154 appreciated.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Jul. 17, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Valentine Rodowicz

11 Entries

Maureen Agnew Cox

August 19, 2005

Aunt Val was a second Mom to me. I learned how to sew, I baked hundreds of cookies,and I even learned how to be a Mrs. Fix-it from her. Aunt Val was my mentor on how to be an independent woman.

Through all my trials and tribulations - Aunt Val was there with words of encouragement and comfort. Aunt Val always said to count your blessings.

When I think of Aunt Val, I will always remember:

A beautiful woman with a great smile

How we could talk on the phone for hours (yeah hours) about current events, esp. Jon Benet Ramsey

And most importantly, her advice. She always had some to give - and her advice on loving your kids, to always make time for your kids, will never be forgotten.

Aunt Val always complimentd people. Always something positive -

she made you feel special.

I know that she is in a better place - with Uncle Fran by her side. We will all miss her...but boy do we all have a lifetime of great memories.

Walt Mlodzinski

August 15, 2005

Aunt Val was in a special class - she was 1 of only 3 people in my entire life that I let call me "Wally" - and of course, she was the first.

Rich Rodowicz Junior

August 2, 2005

Well what do ya know. Baci would always say that. Think about it for a second...very open ended answer but always so fitting. Baci is up in another place now smiling down on all of us, with husband Fran in hand. We've all shed many tears but something came to light to me with all of this, and it's something I learned dearly from Baci. Positivity. Reading everyone's entry on this page I realize how she affected everyone in a different positive way, whether it was my triplet Matt (cousin) and his history talks with her, or the Agnews and her maternal instincts, or telling little Raymond and Richard to go wake up my Dad cause he was missing such a beautiful day. She always found the good in things and had a wonderful outlook on life, no matter what was thrown her way she didn't complain, she took it in stride and "let it go in one ear and out the other" as she would say (and still says cuz I can hear it now).

After Baci died someone came up to me and said I'm sorry about your loss. I said back to her, tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, "Don't be sorry, she lived a wonderful life and she's still here with us"

...whether it's in Matt cooking me up one of her concoctions, my Dad showing me how to fix something, my Mom showing me how to sew something, Val sweeping the floor, Fran giving me a hug, Keith making me laugh, Ray getting a good jam going again, Richard "O" as Baci would say calling to offer advice on drywall, Aunt Cecile telling a story, all the Agnew's and Mlod's and Wilt's, Mullers, and friends upon friends coming over just to hang out and comfort each other. I think to myself through it all...Baci, you are so, so missed right now, and look proudly at everyone you've touched in your life. Look at how you taught us all...we have a little bit of you in us.

I wrote a song about a year ago called "Wonderful." It was a song that just kind of popped up at me but I sat here and played it and it felt so fitting to what Baci was about:

I suggest you run outside it's wonderful.

Climb the tree's and branch your simple life.

Wrap your arms around this world it's wonderful.

Open ears and arms around your wife.

Look ahead a dream in mind it's wonderful.

Came around to fill my empty smile.

I sometimes forget to, stop and look around your eyes...remind me of the times to realize our new life.

Baci grabbed every opportunity she could to look around and help out everyone else.

When you are down think of how Baci would stay strong and overcome ANY obstacle.

When you feel yourself being mean, take a step back and think of Baci saying "Be Nice!"

When you want to give someone a hug or kiss and tell them you love them, do it, every single time, because it resonates through and through.

Be wide eyed, smile and share everything you can with others...that's what Baci would want of all of us.

It's funny, Matt Fran and I (she'd be so glad I didn't say me Matt and Fran) would always joke...Baci said I'm her favorite grandson, or Baci gave me $100 and said to keep it quiet. We each wanted to be her favorite, but in the end we always knew we were all her favorites. You will always be remembered. I'm surprised a statue hasn't been built yet, you deserve one.

Baci, you taught me more than anything I could put into words. I read a card I sent to her when I was 8 years old that she kept and I think it pretty much sums it up:

Baci you are the best Baci in the whole wide world, I love you very very very very very much. I hope you like my drawing: (enclosed was a picture of 2 roses) I knew she liked my drawings because she's the one that taught me!

Matt O

July 29, 2005

I was chatting with someone here at work this morning. Her grandfather is ill and we discussed the impact of grandparents and the role they play in our lives. In the exchange I was trying to sum up what kind of person Baci was and what she meant to everyone around her. Initially, I was at a loss for words trying to characterize Baci. I had an ocean of thoughts swimming through my head from past experiences with her and with the array of mannerisms, catch phrases, and legendary stories, I thought how does one condense a Reader's Digest version of Baci into a few breathes? I took a long gulp of my tea and cautiously explained that if you were somehow able to combine the best attributes of Don Corleone, Yoda, and Santa Claus into one individual......you’d have Baci. In hindsight, I guess I can understand why my co-worker shot me a skeptical glance.....but these were the first meaningful characters that jumped into my head, so I thought it best to elaborate, as I will do now.

To many of us, Baci was Don Corleone. The straight-talking matriarch of the family, Baci always seemed to have this inexplicable aura surrounding her......an aura that carried with it a distinct level of respect. I can remember with vivid clarity several occasions at Memorial and Labor Day picnics where one by one her grandkids would arrive and subconsciously bypass their own parents, who many times were standing just steps away, to walk a greater distance to first greet Baci: paying homage and kissing the ring of the great Don Corleone. That was the level of admiration and we all had for her. Many of us valued her so much that when life dealt us a crossroad we'd consult her to get her take on the situation. Baci always spoke directly, was candid, saw both sides of the issue and was able to dish out dependable advice.

When reflecting back on Baci's intellectual side, I can't help but visualize an image of Yoda. What always amazed me about Baci was that she possessed this great body of knowledge....this great body of life experience which she was able to share with us all. Perhaps no other individual had equal appreciation for my two biggest passions in life: the first being History. Occasionally I considered Baci a walking history book. She was born on the eve of Prohibition, spent her teen years persevering through the Great Depression, her twenties weathering a World War.......she lived through eight Pontifs and Sixteen Presidents.

I always enjoyed discussing the stories of yesteryear with Baci, relishing her first-hand accounts of ration stamps during the 1930's, Victory Gardens during WWII, the Camelot years, and so on.

Following history, my second craving in life is food...and Baci shared this love like no other. Baci treasured food. Whether she was sipping down a simple bowl of soup or devouring Thanksgiving dinner, you could find Baci with an ear to ear smile. She'd comment on the flavor, texture, and portion-size in between bites. I had many conversations with Baci relating to baking, broiling, frying, and crock pots where she'd pass on her little cooking tidbits that she accumulated over the years. Every so often I will be in my kitchen preparing lunch or dinner and can hear Baci's voice in my ear telling me to let the water boil longer or throw a bouillon cube in.

With her cheerful demeanor, fair-mindedness and generosity Baci was as close as you could come to the real-life version of Santa Claus. I think her favorite time of the year was Christmas Day when she could hand out her gifts and see the joy on everyone's face. But in all actuality she was just as thoughtful and giving the other 364 days of the year. While sifting through her stacks of magazines, tabloids and newspapers, she'd always be on the lookout for articles she could snip and pass onto someone who may enjoy reading. Many of us turned to the obliging 'Bank of Baci" when we were in need of a car loan, rent payment or some other unexpected emergency. You never had to explain yourself.

When its all said and done I think you can measure the importance and significance of someone's life by looking at their ability to teach and inspire those close-by to become better people. Baci was the gold standard of this. What made Baci so special was her determination to pass on her values to her children and their children.

Share your possessions, be humble, always treat others with respect, be mindful of table manners, and finally the one that will always resonate with me: speak up for yourself and do not back down. I can remember many occasions (and I know Valentina can attest to this) where Baci was standing by the checkout counter at (insert retail store here) and Baci would produce a haystack of discount coupons . And God help that poor cashier who hesitated one bit at honoring those coupons because if that person gave any inkling of an attitude Baci would rain down fire and brimstone. In the end Baci always got the discount.

There will never be another Baci. With her big heart, infectious laugh and unwavering dedication to her family she inspired us all....and continues to do so.

God Bless you, Baci.

raymond Orysiek

July 21, 2005

Let me start this out by saying ..

Hey Baci How are you doin'in ? This is the way I greeted her every time I saw her as long as I can remeber .

I think a way you can mesure a persons presence and power in life

is the void that they leave when they pass and Baci's was huge !

But you know something ...... that

void is being filled by the love and careing of all the family and friends . I have seen that from the very day she past untill tonite.

I would like to end this the same way I would say goodbye to baci no matter were she was . It could be at her home , Rich and Tina's, the hospital , Rehab center were ever... I always siad I'll see you later Batch . And I mean it I will see you Later !

Valentina Rodowicz

July 21, 2005

Hey, Batch (Baci), watch

Hear

Care

Touch

That’s what you did for us.

Compare, Never

Always quite clever.

You had a beautiful smile

It’s unfortunate we won’t see each other for a while.

Your life was so grand

Some may never understand.

Your heart so deep

Now it’s hard to sleep.

Your presence is missed

But we’ll always reminisce.

The times we had were special and memorable

You were an admiration and adorable.

It’s a pleasure to have you in our heart

Your a work of art.

As a result, we’ll never be apart.

Bo Tumasz

July 21, 2005

I spent much of my youth in the basement of the Rodowicz house on Loretta avenue, doing everything imaginable. Every once in a while Mrs "Rod" would call down and keep us in line.

Christina & Bryan Hawkins

July 18, 2005

Sorry you are gone. I Love You!! Now you are alive and well, and in a better place. We will miss you.

Jim&Darlene Agnew

July 18, 2005

Aunt Val was like a second mother to all of the Agnews'.She was a very special person and will be deeply missed.

Mindy Lutts

July 18, 2005

Through the years I always enjoyed my phone calls,at Spin, from Mrs.Rodowicz. Whether it be to discuss her son or to talk about the current events at SPIN, she always had wise words to offer. She would never call without inquiring about my children and again offering words of wisdom. She was a caring women and I always felt good after talking to her.I learned alot from Mrs. Rodowicz over the years.I will miss her phone calls but her voice and message will be with me always. Mindy Lutts

Marie Valoris

July 18, 2005

"Baci"

You were a wonderful inspiration for all. Your sheer determination and gutsy style of dealing with life has inspired all who met you. You will live in my memory forever. Thanks for giving us Rodo and Tina/children, they are truly the best.

In Jesus' love,

marie k valoris

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