Sr Dominic Joseph "Josephine Marie" Valla

Sr. Dominic Joseph Valla
Sr. Dominic Joseph Valla (Josephine Marie Valla) died peacefully on February 4, 2024 at Sacred Heart Manor, Hamden, CT. She was 84 years old and professed as an Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for 63 years. Sr. Dominic Joseph, daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Cusano) Valla, was born on January 20, 1940, in New Haven, CT. Sr. Dominic Joseph entered the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on September 1, 1957, in Hamden, CT. She professed First Vows on August 25, 1960, and Perpetual Vows on August 21, 1965 in Hamden, CT.
Sr. Dominic Joseph (affectionately known as "DJ") was the beloved sister of Joseph and Carol (Blasiak) Valla; Robert and Nancy (White) Valla; the late Rev. Dominic J. Valla; aunt to Kristen (White) Dean and great aunt to Connor and Hannah White. She is also lovingly remembered by her religious family, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and by many friends, former students and co-workers.
Sr. Dominic Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion from St. Louis University, MO and a Master's degree in Religious Education from Fairfield University, CT. She began her ministry in Catholic education as a teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in St. Louis, MO. After having taught in CT at the junior high and high school levels, she became an elementary school administrator serving in NY, RI and PA. Later, she served as a Pastoral Associate at St. John Church in Cromwell, CT and for 20 years at St. Patrick Church in East Hampton, CT. Sr. Dominic Joseph retired to Sacred Heart Manor in 2020 where she faithfully fulfilled her mission as an Apostle Adorer.
The visitation for Sr. Dominic Joseph will take place on Friday, February 9, 2024, at Sacred Heart Manor Chapel, 261 Benham St., Hamden, CT from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 10 at Sacred Heart Manor Chapel at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven, CT. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Sr. Dominic Joseph Valla to the retirement fund of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 295 Benham Street, Hamden, CT 06514. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc.is in care of her arrangements. Share a memory on Sr. Dominic Joseph's Tribute by visiting www.iovanne.com.