Valerie J. Nicoliello's Obituary
Valerie June Nicoliello, “Val” aka “Nurse” of Palm Coast, Florida (formerly of Bogota, New Jersey) passed away peacefully at home with her life partner and best friend, Linda Higginbotham at her side on June 2nd, 2023.
She will be met in heaven by her father, Ernest “Ernie” Wiffen, her mother, Eleanor “Ann” Wiffen, and her sister, Delia Leone, as well as an entire pack of dogs and cats who were lucky enough to be loved by her during her lifetime.
As a teenager, Valerie competed at a high level in motocross racing across the United Kingdom and was the first woman in England to compete in this male dominated sport. She was coached by her father, Ernie. Valerie came to the United States from England when she was 19 years old, traveling by herself on the Queen Mary cruise ship in 1962.
As a young mother, Valerie dreamed of becoming a Registered Nurse and made her dream come true when she graduated from Felician College in 1981 while caring for 3 young children. She worked for over 30 years, through two bouts with breast cancer, and cared for hundreds of patients in the ICU and Emergency rooms at both Halifax Hospital and Bunnell Community Hospital over the course of her career. She was an avid reader, and competed in figure skating into her 60’s. She was a faithful partner to Linda, but never became an avid fisherwoman, despite Linda’s encouragement! She loved music, dancing and made the best Yorkshire pudding and bread pudding. She was always willing to be a listening ear, and tried her best to help anyone who needed help. She had a deep faith, and spent years singing in the folk group at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Bogota, New Jersey.
She was a devoted mother and friend to her daughter Nicole McKeon (Joe McKeon) and her two sons, Drew Nicoliello (Teresa Nicoliello) and Mason Nicoliello (Jennifer Searles). She will be missed by her five grandchildren: Grace McKeon, Graeme McKeon, Tristan Nicoliello,Payton Nicoliello and Ava Nicoliello and her niece Sondra Lardiere (Jack Lardiere) and nephew Carey Krachen.
She also leaves behind her two furry friends Lambeau and Bella who will miss her very much. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/site/Donation The family will have a private service later this summer to memorialize Valerie. “Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow Me, and I will give you rest”
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