Valerie Passerotti Russell

Valerie Geyne Passerotti Russell, age 53, of Fairview, passed away peacefully with her husband and children by her side on Thursday, July 25th, 2013 at UPMC Hamot Hospital.

Born in Erie, PA on May 4, 1960, she was a daughter of the late William and Virginia Martinez Passerotti.

She was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School, Class of 1978. She continued her education at Bryant Stratton in Buffalo, NY where she received her Associate degree in Fashion Merchandising. Her career in retail began 30 years ago. She was a manager and district manager at several clothing stores and most recently managed New York and Company in the Millcreek Mall. Valerie often spoke about her love for the girls at work and the store.

Valerie was a proud member of the Seneca Nation of Indians Bear Clan, and made many trips to the Salamanca reservation where she enjoyed spending time with family and celebrating her heritage. In addition to her love for fashion and clothing, she enjoyed long walks on the beach, beautiful sunsets and collecting sea shells. She had a natural talent for home decor and created a warm, inviting home.

Valerie was a gifted baker and every Christmas her hundreds of dozens of cookies found their way to many homes of family and friends who had waited all year long. Valerie never missed a family gathering. She was an ultimate host and always went the extra mile to make each celebration special. When she danced her vibrant personality glowed and inspired others to join in the festivities.

She was an avid reader and would constantly be buried in a newspaper, a book or spending time at the library or bookstore with her family. She also loved scrapbooking, sewing, shopping, mystery and ghost shows and pintrest for inspiration, camping and boating.

With the many things she enjoyed in life the thing that she cherished the most was her family. The long walks with her husband Jim, watching her son Taylor playing baseball, playing the penny slots with her son Tony, hanging out at Presque Isle with her daughter Nicole 'Niki' and playing stick with her dog Shadow. With her favorite camera in hand, she captured these and many more treasured moments with her beloved mother, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

In addition to her mother William and Virginia, Valerie was preceded in death by her sister, Lynnette Gant McDonald; her paternal grandparents, Frieda and William Passerotti and her maternal grandparents Clara and Francisco Martinez; also preceded in death by her Siberian Husky, Shadow.

Valerie is survived by her husband James Russell; a daughter Nicole Passerotti and her husband Gregory Gheorghiu, of San Francisco, CA; and two sons Anthony Passerotti and his wife Tracy of Apollo Beach, FL; and Taylor Russell of Fairview, PA; her brothers and sisters William and Susan Passerotti, Michael and Brenda Passerotti, Theresa and Mike Kaldorf, of Pittsburgh, Mary 'Kitty' and Daryl Waldinger, Pamela Passerotti, Lisa and Donald Tirpak, Paula and Dennis Tatalone, and Tammie and Anthony Corsi. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may call at the Burton Wintergreen Funeral Home 2532 Norcross Road on Sunday, July 28th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, and are invited to attend services there on Monday at 1pm with Father Dan Arnold officiating. Burial will be in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. In celebration of Valerie's love for reading and for her dog Shadow memorial contributions may be made in her name to The Erie County Public Library or The Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.