Janet Ann Vallese

Janet Ann Vallese of Palisades Park, NJ died Monday, July 31st 2023 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was 79 years old. 

Born in Jersey City to the late Allan and Winifred (Beckmeyer) Spence, she grew up in Secaucus and Earlton, NY. She was the loving eldest sister of Allan (Marie) Spence, Kevin (Patricia) Spence, Donna Conklin, Lori (Thomas) O’Brien, and Michael (Patricia) Spence. Her siblings considered her the glue that held her family together. 

Janet attended Coxsackie-Athens High School and SUNY Plattsburgh, where she earned a degree in Home Economics. She was a dedicated educator for over 30 years in the Union City School District, teaching cooking and sewing to countless students. Janet was an excellent baker and cook, whipping up complicated meals with seeming ease. She was always the person to call with a cooking question or help with a recipe. Her daughters especially will miss being able to call on her for her culinary expertise. 

Janet is survived by her husband Anthony Vallese, and her daughters Kellie (Brian) Davideit, Sandra (Joshua) Thier, and Lauren Vallese (Ryan Ford) and her five grandchildren. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Janet was devoted to her husband Anthony. They had many fun times together, enjoying long summer days in Beach Haven with family and friends, and holidays and celebrations with their children and grandchildren. Janet loved her grandchildren so very, very much and they adored her in return. She will be greatly missed by Alison, Hannah, Sophie, Eric and Olivia. Janet will be laid to rest next to her grandson Ian, who predeceased her. 

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2-4pm and 6-9pm at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Ave., Ridgefield, NJ. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 3rd at St Michael's Church, at 9:30am, 19 East Central Blvd, Palisades Park, NJ. Burial at Hillside Cemetery, 52 Lincoln Ave, Metuchen, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ian Anthony Davideit scholarship fund are appreciated. 

Checks should be made out to: St Francis Cathedral School, attn: Ian Davideit Scholarship fund, 528 Main Street, Metuchen NJ 08840.

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