Patricia Valentino
October 31, 1965 – December 30, 2021
South Pasadena, Florida – Patricia Marie Valentino, 56, passed into her eternal resting place with her family by her side on December 30, 2021, after a 19-month battle with Ovarian Cancer. Patti was born in Northampton, MA, to Giles & Rose (St. Jacques) Desmond on October 31, 1965. She leaves behind her husband, Robert Valentino, and siblings; Dan Desmond, Barbara Vanasse, Dori Melnik, and Mary Robinson as well as, several nieces and nephews. She was a beloved mother to her greatest accomplishments, her three children; Benjamin Camp, Avery Camp and Mary Rose Camp.
In 1984, Patti married Russell Camp, whom she met in Smith School, eventually settling in Belchertown where they built a house together. In 1993, after spending a summer as a camp nurse in New Hampshire, they decided to permanently move there. Hopkinton was home for many years for Patti, Russ, and their 3 children. During this time, Patti successfully juggled raising elementary school children while working as a nurse in the Concord School District and earning a nursing degree at NHTI. The family often spent summers at Boy Scout camps where Patti was the camp nurse. Patti’s empathy permeated everything that she did in family, work and church life.
It was in 2001, in Greer, SC, after the family moved for Russ to pursue a degree, that Patti first began working as an ER nurse, which she excelled in and developed a passion that would continue for the rest of her life. Upon moving back to New Hampshire in 2004, Patti began working in the Emergency Department at Concord Hospital, where she impacted countless lives—both patients and coworkers—for more than 7 years. She also was a Clinical Lead at Elliot Hospital for 3 years.
After taking a trip with her sister, Barbara to Treasure Island, Florida, in the winter of 2015, Patti decided to leave the cold New England winters behind for good and moved to Bradenton, FL, later that year. Her daughter, Mary Rose and sister, Barbara moved with her. Patti continued her ER career at both Blake and Manatee Memorial in Bradenton and finally Palms of Pasadena in South Pasadena. Besides the sunny skies and beaches, moving to Florida allowed Patti to meet and impact many more lives, including one very special person, Robert (Bobby) Valentino.
Patti and Bobby were married in February 2017 on Anna Maria Island and loved each other deeply. They made the most of each moment together in their homes in Bradenton and then St. Petersburg, and the places they traveled. Tragically, cancer stole many years of Patti’s life, ending a beautiful marriage much too early. Bobby compassionately and wholeheartedly cared for Patti until the moment she died.
Patti was dearly loved by all who knew her. She faced hardships in her life, but faced them with joy, optimism and a love for life and others. Her energy and laugh were infectious and she had a tendency to enter a room full of strangers and walk out with life long friends. She faced her cancer diagnosis with extreme grace and a positive attitude and knew without a doubt she’d be welcomed into Heaven by her Savior, Jesus Christ.
A Celebration of Life was held at the Coquina Beach South Pavilion in Bradenton Beach, FL, on January 4, 2022 at 4 p.m., with Visitation starting at 12 p.m. An additional Celebration of Life will also be held in spring of 2022 with friends and family in New Hampshire (date tbd).
Per Patti’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance at https://give.ocrahope.org/patti
Published by & from Jan. 3 to Jan. 8, 2022.