Leona E (Bailey) Dudush Valentine

Leona E. Dudush Valentine (nee: Bailey), 96 years of age, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2020 after a full and meaningful life.  She was born in Fredericktown, PA on June 14, 1924 to John and Mary Bailey (nee: Kump).  She was a 1942 graduate of East Bethlehem High School and came to Lorain, Ohio shortly after graduation where she met and married her first husband Harry Dudush.  After living in various locations during Harry’s service in the U.S. Army, she made her home first in Lorain and then in Amherst for many years.  She most recently lived with her daughter, Linda Bearer in Sheffield Village.  

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Amherst.  Leona enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, Florida and on cruises and took a memorable trip to Europe several years ago with her second husband, Elmer Valentine.  She was also active closer to home as a member of the Senior Citizens of Amherst and the Catholic Golden Agers.  She enjoyed the theater and held season tickets to the Stocker Center performances for many years.  She rarely passed up a church bus trip, a chance to play bingo or a golf game, where she once had a “hole in one.”   

She is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Linda Bearer of Sheffield Village, formally of Elyria, her second husband Elmer’s children, Mark and Kate Valentine of Richfield, Geralyn and Dennis Armstrong of Amherst and Lisa Valentine of North Ridgeville; her grandchildren Dana and Mike Smullen of Alexandria, VA and Rebecca and Nathan of Glenview, IL and four great-grand children, Caroline and Andrew Smullen and Henry and Annabelle Lynch.  

She was preceded in death by her first husband of forty-six years, Harry Dudush and her second husband of fifteen years, Elmer Valentine.  Her siblings John, Carl, Leonard, Frank and Anna and her son-in-law, Lynn Bearer.  

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.  The Rev. Father Timothy O’Connor will officiate.  

The family suggests memorial donations to St. Joseph Catholic Church; 200 St. Joseph Dr, Amherst, Ohio 44001 or Grace Hospice; 1660 Sprague Road, Suite 35, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. 

Please visit the funeral home’s website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com. 

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church; 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst, OH  44001 or Grace Hospice; 16600 Sprague Road, Suite 35, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130.

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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