Bernice E. Valentine

SLINGERLANDS – Bernice “Bernie” Estelle Valentine, age 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, after a brief illness. She was born on August 21, 1931 in Cohoes, New York to Gabrielle Estelle Belanger and Arthur Alix Hervieux. Bernie lost her mom as a young child and Arthur (Gee Gee) later married Blanche Aline Blair (Nana) who was a loving mother to Bernice. Bernie graduated from Keveny Memorial Academy in Cohoes and attended a two-year Business School in Troy. Bernie married Donald Wahrlich in 1950. They later moved to North Bethlehem, NY where they raised four children. She worked for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) for 27 years. She met, and in 1981 married, her husband Daniel Valentine. They traveled, camped, bowled, golfed and danced their way through life, until his passing in 2019. Bernie was a devout Catholic who for decades added her lovely voice to the Saint Margaret Mary’s Church choir.

Bernie loved life! She was a strong and beautiful woman who enjoyed shopping, gardening, reading, crafting, traveling and socializing with her girlfriends. She was a member of the Red Hat Society. Bernie was a dedicated mother first and foremost, who especially loved her role as  Mim. Mom was the first person you wanted to call with good (or bad) news. She always knew what to say and we valued her humor, insight, honesty and candor. She loved unconditionally. She was very involved and proud of all of her childrens’ and grandchildrens’ accomplishments. Bernie taught her children the importance of friendship. She was well loved by all who knew her and will be missed by many.

Bernie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Paula Johannessen (Howie), Richard Wahrlich (Diana), David Wahrlich (Melina) and Sally McCarthy (Eric). Mim was also the most cherished grandmother of Sara Mooney (Chris), Cory Johannessen (Cate), Brian Wahrlich  (Bobby Uzel), Andrew Wahrlich (Emily), Melissa Dudley (Chris), Michelle Andrews (John),  Stephanie Owens (Torrey), Arica McCarthy and Cole McCarthy. She also delighted in her role as great-grandmother to Simon, Willa, Mae and Arlo Mooney.

A private service will be held for the immediate family on Saturday, January 30, 2021, in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Cohoes. To view a video after the service, or to leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.hansfuneralhome.com/bernice-e-valentine/ .  There will be a memorial mass and celebration of Bernie’s life at a future date.

For those who would like to make a special gift in memory of Bernice, donations may be made supporting the Pediatric Low Grade Glioma Association through her grandson’s Pan-Mass  Challenge Fundraiser electronically at (http://profile.pmc.org/CJ0080) or by mail (Cory  Johannessen 66977-1) Pan-Mass Challenge, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, MA 02494. 100% of all donations go to research on this disease.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany.