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MARQUETTE, MI – Judy Valente, age 80, of Marquette, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Trillium House in the loving care of her family and care givers at Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. Born on September 25, 1945 the daughter of Rose (Shefchik) and Joseph Couveau in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Judy was one of twelve children.
She attended elementary school in Iron Mountain until fourth grade when the family moved to Witch Lake outside of Republic. She then attended Republic schools where she graduated as Salutatorian in 1963. She was an involved high school student serving as school newspaper reporter and then editor, annual co-editor, school band, and chorus.
Following high school graduation she worked at the Marq Restaurant and Michigan Bell Telephone Company as an operator. Her dream of being a school teacher lingered.
Following her dreams, she attended Northern Michigan University earning a Bachelor of Science degree with Honor. She was hired as an elementary teacher at AuTrain-Onota school in Deerton and became a co-principal after one year. She served in that school district for sixteen years. During this time she also completed her Master of Science program at NMU.
She joined Marquette Area Public Schools in 1988 and served twelve years there as elementary principal at Whitman Elementary, assistant principal at Bothwell Middle School, elementary principal at Silver Creek Elementary, and Assistant Superintendent. She retired from MAPS in 2000 and accepted a position as Chief Administrative Officer and Elementary Principal at Father Marquette Catholic Schools, a position she held until 2005. Interim positions at the Marquette Diocese and Father Marquette Middle School followed until 2010.
The gift of time following retirement afforded opportunities to travel, serve on committees in her church, sing with the church choir, and most importantly, spend quality time with her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and visiting with family and friends. During summer months, she enjoyed golfing with her golf buddies. She was an avid walker and always enjoyed curling up with a good book.
Music was always a large part of her life since childhood when she played piano or accordion with her father accompanying on the guitar. She later enjoyed playing the piano with husband Joe on guitar, singing, and having jam sessions with family.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, her Husband Joseph, her beloved granddaughter Angela Reichel, brother John Couveau, sisters Janet Larch and Nancy Antonetti, and several sisters- and brothers -in-law.
She is survived by her children Jill (Tim) Weingarten and Robert (Abrielle) Hanson both of Marquette, step-children Elizabeth (Claude) Wight, Jennifer (Eric) Wills, her grandchildren Adam(Hannah) Weingarten, Cullen Hanson, Declan Hanson, Atlas Hanson, Ashley (Dan) Finnigan, Chase (Elise) Wight, Spencer (Jazmine) Cummings, Brennen (Chloe) Cummings, great-grandchildren Liam Weingarten, Jude Weingarten., Bennett Wight, Laine Wight, Luca Cummings, Cecelia Cummings and special friend Meagan Spalding.
Siblings Joan Witte of Kingsford, Jean Mosely of California, Joe (Sandy) Couveau and Jeff (Barb) Couveau of Republic, June Mackus of Illinois, and Amy (Bill) Dale of Grand Ledge. She is also survived by many members of the Valente family.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, July 29 at St. Louis the King Catholic Church, visitation will take place from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 pm with Fr. Tom Merkel officiating. A luncheon will follow the service in Fr. Gauthier Hall. Burial will take place in the Northland Chapel Gardens Cemetery. The Family would like to thank the staff at the Trillium House as well as Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice for their compassionate care. in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Father Marquette Academy, 500 South 4th Street, Marquette, Michigan 49855. The Canale Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at canalefuneral.com