Valerie Jean Budnick

Valerie Jean (Pinkowski) Budnick, 69, of Hope Valley, RI, passed away after a long illness on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was the loving wife of Michael Paul Budnick of almost 50 years. Born in Westerly, RI on August 19, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Vivian (Tefft) Pinkowski. She will be forever remembered as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

A graduate of Chariho High School, Val then attended St. Joseph's College where she met her lifelong friend, Cindy Malone. Val worked a number of jobs over her life, but her true calling was making a home for her family. Val and Mike were true partners and Val loved the beach and in particular the beaches in Florida and Myrtle Beach where her and Mike would escape to on vacation. During the summer they would hang out at the pool all day floating around in rafts. Val and Mike also loved to go to concerts and Elton John was among their favorites. Val loved seeing her children and her grandchildren and was always getting them gifts (Val couldn't resist a sale!) and thinking of new ways to make them feel special and loved.

There were a lot of things that Val loved including crafts, desserts, coffee and action movies. She loved to sit in her chair and do all 4 at the same time on a Saturday afternoon.

Besides her husband, Michael, she leaves her children Melissa and Matthew Budnick and their spouses Ali Maliqi and Allison Budnick, grandchildren Avery and Emmy Budnick and Amelia and Jon Maliqi as well as her sister Lisa Palmer and brother Davey Stone. She was preceded in death by both her parents, her stepfather David Stone and her brother, Keith Stone.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Valerie's name to Project Linus. Val's true passion was crafts, and she donated over 500 afghans to Project Linus so kids in the hospital or in traumatic situations were less scared.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.