Donna J. Valentine

It is with great sadness that the family of Donna Haddad Valentine, announces her passing into eternal life on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the age of 89. Donna was a lifelong resident of Rockford, born on September 24, 1929, the daughter of Roger and Betty (Forzley) Haddad. She was a graduate of West High School, Class of 1947. Married Jerome William Valentine October 7, 1950.

Donna was a devout member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Rockford, IL. where she also volunteered in the school. She was a bookkeeper for the NEHI-Royal Crown Bottling Co., on North Main St., that was founded by her parents in 1928. She retired from the family business when the company merged with Beatrice Foods. She was an active member of Altrusa Club, regularly hosted friends for card nights, and enjoyed neighborhood bus trips to various casinos.

Donna continued the tradition of family dinners every Sunday. She enjoyed making Lebanese favorites, baking bread and trying new recipes, especially desserts. She loved celebrating everyone’s birthday with their favorite meal. Decorating her home for holidays, both inside and out, was always done well in advance.

She is survived by her daughter Kathryn (John) Cressman, son Kenneth Valentine, and her grandchildren Ryan Sully, Sara (Joseph) Peters, Brandon (Taylor) Valentine, Jeffrey Valentine, John (Jennifer) Cressman, Jr., Robert Cressman, and Emily Cressman. She adored her great-grandchildren Connor Peters, Evan Peters, Dominic Valentine, John (Jack) Cressman, III, and Julia Cressman. She is also survived by brother, Lloyd (Marilyn) Haddad and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her parents, husband Jerome in 1963, brother Raymond Haddad, sister Gloria Kelly and brother-in-law George Kelly.

Special thanks to her faithful caregivers Sohair, Sharon, Kentasha, Candi and Rasha.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 31 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Visitation on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave and will continue at church on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1111 South Alpine-Suite 307, Rockford, IL 61108; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.