Valerie C Aragona

Valerie C. Aragona, age 60, a resident of Winter Gardens, FL and formerly of New York City, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Daughter of Rafael and Olympia Contreras, she was the beloved wife of Victor Aragona and a devoted mother to Nicholas and Samantha Aragona. Valerie was preceded in death by her brother Mark, a cherished sister to Margaret, John, Mary Jane, Diana, and Michael. Her memory will be forever treasured by her extended family and many dear friends.
Prior to dedicating herself full-time to raising her family, Valerie enjoyed a fulfilling career in Human Resources working in multiple hotels across the US and Mexico. She had an unwavering passion for the training and development of others and had the opportunity to support and mentor hundreds of people in growing their careers with Marriott.
In addition to supporting the development of others, she was constantly seeking was to improve the quality of life for herself and loved ones through health and wellness. At age 49, Valerie challenged herself by becoming a certified fitness trainer, outperforming trainers half her age.
Valerie was always dedicated to sharing her knowledge of health and wellness. Even in the face of her own challenges, she remained committed to staying informed about alternative ways to maintain wellbeing and she selflessly shared that wisdom with others. She inspired loved ones to take control of their health and embrace a mindful and holistic approach to life.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday, October 15, from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM at Barrett Leber Funeral Home, 268 Dean Drive, Tenafly. A Memorial Mass will follow at 12:00 PM at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Tenafly.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Valerie's memory may be made to the ALS Association or the Livestrong Foundation-causes close to her heart and deeply appreciated by the family.