Obituary of Valentina Oleksiw

Heaven gained an angel as Valentina Oleksiw passed peacefully in her sleep on June 6, 2023. She was 85 years old.

“Val” was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and a friend to so many others who were as close as family. After a full life she will surely be missed by all.

She was born on April 11, 1938 to Eugene (“Iggy”) and Mary Kalbaska on the Lower East Side of New York City. As a teen she met the love of her life, Jerry Oleksiw, whom she would marry on May 17, 1958. This was even though it has been rumored that he would – on occasion – aim the fire hydrant spray at her during the summer months.  Even then, while they were dating she would complain that he was too busy with work and didn’t have time to take her out as much as she wanted. But he told her that if she stuck with him he would make it up to her. And he did! She held jobs in an office and as a teacher before settling down to become a full-time mom. They lived in Jackson Heights, NY and North Bergen, NJ before moving to Port Washington, NY to raise their boys. She and Jerry celebrated their 65th anniversary just a few weeks ago.

Val leaves behind her husband Jerry, sons Steve (and his wife Mary Anne), Rich (and his wife Carmen), Paul (and is wife Jeanine), Dan (and his wife Stacy), grandchildren Steven, Kyle (and his wife Jackie), the late Reed, Lauren, Tyler, Morgan (and her fiancé Kayleb), Heather, great grandson Grayson, and so many other family members and friends. Without a doubt, she is up in Heaven with her beloved parents and those who left this earth before she did.

Rest in Peace Valentina Oleksiw! We love you!

Valerie would encourage any donations to be donated on behalf of her late grandson Reed Oleksiw to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund through the Children's Cancer Research Fund at

www.ChildrensCancer.org/Zach/