Delina F. Valente, 77

Delina F. Valente, 77, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2007, in Sandpoint, Idaho, with her family at her side after a brief battle with ALS.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division Ave., in Sandpoint for family and local acquaintances. The Rev. JP Carver, from the Episcopal Church will officiate. A second memorial service will be held at a later date in Alameda, Calif., for her lifelong friends as well as a private graveside service in Jonesboro, Ark.

Memorials may be made in Delina's name to the ALS Association at (888) 949-2577 or its Web site www.alsa.org.

Delina was born on born Feb. 26, 1930, in Flint, Mich., the daughter of Emil Conard and Nealie Elizabeth (Fagan) Mathes. Delina was a graduate from Jonesboro High School in 1948.

Delina left Jonesboro in 1949 and relocated to California, where she remained until her sudden illness, at which time she moved to Sandpoint, in the beginning of 2007 to be with her daughter and son-in-law.

She worked briefly as a switchboard operator with Bell Telephone before entering into the automobile business for 38 years. She worked for Tracy Buick in Oakland, Calif., and for Good Chevrolet in Alameda as a bookkeeper and payroll. She retired in 1992 for a brief period but became bored and returned to work for Lucasey Manufacturing Company in Oakland. She continued to work there until her recent diagnosis of ALS in Janaury 2007.

Delina was a faithful member of the Bay Farm Community Church in Alameda. She was very active and an avid exercise enthusiast attending weekly aerobic classes where she was a great inspiration to everyone.

Traveling with family and friends was especially enjoyable to Delina. She had a passion for cats and enjoyed their loving company from childhood throughout her adult life. She surrounded herself with young and vivacious individuals. She loved to dance and listen to all types of music and would often attend concerts with her dear friends. She also enjoyed the local theater in Alameda.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Sidney Rayfield of Sandpoint; two stepdaughters, Valerie Pinto and Destiny Hobson; stepson, Louis Valente; her sister and brother-in-law, Martha Lynn (Mathes) and John Wolfe of Jonesboro, Ark.; sister-in-law, Sue Mathes also of Jonesboro; three grandsons, Bryan, Christopher and Randy Dosher, all residing in Seattle, Wash.; step-grandson, Max Pinto; and two great-granddaughters, Bailey and Taylor; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is also survived and lovingly remembered by her son-in-law Sid's three daughters and their families. Delina was preceded in death by two infants at birth, her son, Andrew Fertado, her brother Dennis Mathes and her parents.

Family and friends are invited to sign Delina's online guest book and view her obituary at www.coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.