Valencia Jean Castegnaro

Valencia “Val” Jean Castegnaro passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 11, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 95.

Born October 30, 1926 to Amedeo and Rosa Bellotti DeMarco. Val attended St. Anthony grade school and was a graduate of West High School in Rockford, IL. There she held the title of President of the Dramatics Club and was elected to Quill and Scroll. She was named a “Rising Young Journalist” for her exemplary work as a writer. She attended Rockford College and then began her professional career as a secretary at Kauders-Steuber warehouse.

At the age of 22, Val married Bruno R. Castegnaro on July 24, 1948. She supported Bruno’s dedication to running The Latham Tap, an establishment started by her in-laws Mario & Teresa Castegnaro. They were known for their gracious hospitality to the local factory workers and made lifelong friends.

Bruno & Val had four children - David “Corky”, Randy and Lynn as well as Cynthia, a daughter who passed away shortly after birth. Val loved having her family around. For many years, she cooked pasta every Saturday night and anyone was welcome to join. In classic Italian fashion, she excelled at making sure everyone was always well fed.

Val’s lifelong dedication to the Diocese of Rockford began with her children attending St. Bernadette & Boylan High School. Val volunteered at Boylan High School one Saturday afternoon and it was there that Monsignor Thomas Brady came in and asked if any of the women could type. She stated she could and that began her nearly 60 year career with the Diocese of Rockford. Val received the Benemerenti “good merit” Medal by the Holy See for her outstanding work in the Diocese of Rockford. Her work took her to St. Peter’s Cathedral & St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit. She retired at 84 years of age.

Val will be remembered as a pillar of strength. An intelligent woman full of class and talent. A timeless beauty who took great pride in wearing beautiful blazers with freshly pressed skirts to match. She brought humor and strength to all who knew her.

Survivors include her children; David Castegnaro (Alice Salamone), Mary “Lynn” Przytulski and Randy (Kathy) Castegnaro; grandchildren, Katie Przytulski, Natalie (Przytulski) Parvin, Maria Castegnaro, Dominic (Lacy) Castegnaro; great-grandchildren, Carson, Clara & Cooper Parvin, Averee Neal, Nico Castegnaro, Brooks Castegnaro and Legion Ray Bartusiak and niece and nephew Kathy Welter and Mark Castegnaro. Predeceased by her husband, parents, her little angel and infant daughter, Cynthia, sisters, Louise Giorgi, Mary Basso, Victoria Johnson, Helen Mackey, Irma De Marco, son-in-law Jeff Przytulski, niece Eileen Rose, and special friend Msgr. Thomas C. Brady. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the special staff at Bickford of Rockford and Heartland Hospice for their loving care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021 in the Cathedral of St. Peter. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. until time of the Mass at the church on Thursday. Covid protocol will be followed at all services. Memorials in memory of Val may be made to Heartland Hospice. Send condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com