With profound sadness we announce the passing of Valenta (Val) A. Misch, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on October 28, 2024.
Val left us in her 86th year while resting peacefully at her home in Hubbardsville, NY, with family by her side.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Donald (Don) P. Misch who passed on January 11, 2024.
Val was born in South Otselic, NY, on June 27, 1938, to parents Albert and Ruby Austin, who eventually made their home in Hubbardsville, NY. Val attended Hamilton Central School where she met the love of her life, Don. Excited to start their lives together, the two were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton, NY, on August 10, 1957.
Val worked for several years at the Waterville Knitting Mill in Waterville, NY, prior to starting a family of her own.
She was the beloved mother to her three adoring children, Lori (Russ) Whitney of Earlville, NY; Luann (Leo) Bonsey of Eliot, ME; and Barnaby (Renee) Misch of Poolville, NY.
Val lived a full life as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker, and farm wife. She loved to bake and is best known for her delicious homemade donuts and molasses popcorn balls. When she wasn’t baking, Val could be found outdoors spending time with family on the porch swing or on the farm tending to her lawn and gardens, admiring her favorite flowers, specifically gladiolus.
Val was an active member of the East Hamilton United Methodist Church, as well as a Trustee and Vice President of the Graham Cemetery for numerous years. She was a woman ahead of her time and an independent, forward thinker. She pushed for women to be accepted members at the local fire department. With determination and grit, she was one of the very first women who earned a position as an appointed firefighter and auxiliary member. She served her community for years and was instrumental in helping to shape current policies.
Out of all of her accomplishments and titles, her greatest was that of grandmother. She loved her grandkids and instilled in them strong values and characteristics that have and will continue to serve them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in the hearts of her beloved grandchildren: Jenny (Dan) Keefe of Hubbardsville, NY, Angie Rose of Hamilton, NY, Rachel (Matt) Kusch of Gilbert, AZ, Amanda (John) Coger of Hamilton, NY, Gordon Goodrum of Texas, Michelle (Dan) Schrader of Romulus, NY, Jacob Misch of Asheville, NC, Daniel Misch of Poolville, NY; as well as great-grandchildren Hannah, Henry, Hudson, Logan, James, Ian, Porter, Louis, Estellese, Garrison, Levi, Sawyer, Ben, and Hannah.
She also leaves two sisters, Jessie Worden and Dawn (Doug) Blinebry, and her brother, Albert Austin.
Donations in honor of Val can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care at 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413, who offered quality and compassionate end-of-life care to her as her time on Earth ended.
A special heartfelt thank you to the home health aides who passionately cared for Val for many months before she was welcomed into Heaven’s arms. Their time, kindness, and support are truly appreciated by Val’s entire family.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date and time with friends and family to honor the memory of Val, a wonderful woman that we were all blessed to know and will cherish always.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton, NY 13346.
To send a condolence online, please visit http://www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com