Obituary: Valerie (Arlow) Czaja, 58, of Middletown

From Biega Funeral Home

Valerie (Arlow) Czaja, 58, of Middletown, beloved wife of Michael Czaja, died Wednesday June 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Middlesex Hospital. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of Clifford and Marlene (Bernstein) Arlow.

Valerie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Haven in 1981 and later earned her Nursing Degree in 1989 from Capital Community College in Hartford. She was employed as a Head Registered Nurse with Riverview Children’s Center.

In addition to her husband Michael, Valerie is survived by her daughters, Amanda Czaja and Carline Czaja of Sunnyside, NY, her son, Joseph Czaja of Sherman Oaks, CA, her sister April McConnell of NY, and her beloved puppy Dakota.

Having moved to Monticello, NY in 1972, Valerie became an avid Buffalo Bills fan who enjoyed watching football on Sundays with her husband and puppy. She enjoyed her yearly weekend trips away with her 3 lifelong friends Paula, Pati, and Renee. Valerie became a Registered Nurse in 1989 and started her Nursing career at Mt. Sinai Hospital as a labor and delivery nurse. Her career took her to the Burgdorff Clinic where she proudly served the people in “the north end of Hartford”. Valerie then became employed at the Riverview Children’s Center, the last stop of her Nursing career.

Valerie was a loving mother to her three children as well as ‘a second mother’ to so many of their friends. She was always so proud of their accomplishments, whether it was her son acting in a play, or a worthy cause that her daughter fundraised money for, or her other daughter studying to be a paramedic.

Valerie not only loved her immediate family; her parents Clifford and Marlene, her Nana Helen, her sister April and her brother in law Roddy, but the countless other people that she considered family. A highlight for her each year was a family party each August, when she would have “all” of her families and friends together.

Valerie fought through many illnesses in her life, and always handled each incident with courage and grace. No matter how hard things were for her, she always remarked that she was okay because someone may have been worse off than she was. This was Valerie always being a nurse and caring person.

The family would like to thank the paramedics from Hunter Ambulance and the Middletown Fire Department, the staff at Middlesex Hospital, and the countless doctors who provided her with great care over these past years.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2572 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Biega Funeral Home here.

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