Valerie M. Forte

Valerie M. Forte, 71, of Warren, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at Forum Health - Trumbull Memorial Hospital. She was born January 4, 1937 in Warren, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Friehl) Shay, and had lived in the Warren area all her life.

Ms. Forte studied business and real estate at Kent State University and was licensed as a real estate agent. She had worked at Packard Electric, and retired as a customer service representative from the Department of Job & Family Services for the State of Ohio, after over 20 years of employment. A member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, she had taught CCD classes. An avid fan of the Indians, Browns, and Cavs, she loved to play cards and travel, with her greatest joy coming from her family. She also enjoyed cooking.

Surviving are her children: Tammy (Mark) Elston of Vienna, Tari (Larry) Foster of Cortland, Mark (Jacquelyn) Forte, Jeff Forte, and Melissa Bright, all of Warren; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister, Susan Shay of Canton; and two brothers, Charles (Hazel) Shay of N. Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Ron (Karen) Shay of Euclid. Preceding her in death are her parents and a sister, Esther McFarland.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3020 Reeves Rd. N.E., Warren, Ohio 44483, with Fr. Donald King officiating. Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery. Friends may call 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at McFarland & Son Funeral Home, and 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Material contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1815 W. Market St., Suite 108, Akron, Ohio 44313.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.