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Margaret (Leone) Valone

Margaret (Leone) Valone, died on Dec. 31, 2017 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk.

She was born on June 28, 1925 in Fredonia, N.Y. to the Giacomo and Mary Grace (Christina) Leone. She was a lifelong resident of Fredonia, but, spent one year in Dunkirk, upon marrying Russell Valone on July 14, 1946.

In 1943, Margaret graduated with high honors from Fredonia Central. After graduation, she attended the State Teachers’ College at Fredonia fro two years and was named to the Dean’s List. Mrs. Valone lived her life to the fullest. She was involved in owning her own beauty salon, in educational affairs, village restoration, membership on numerous committees, organizer of various events, civic affairs, travel, recreation and writing activities.

Her most notable business venture was the opening of “Mar-Val’s Unisex Salon”. Margaret attended Robert’s School to obtain her license as a hairdresser, the L’Oreal Hair Coloring School in Paris, France after which she purchased the first hair coloring machine in Western NY. Margaret also attended the Merle Norman Cosmetic School in Los Angeles, in order to add a cosmetic sec-tion in her salon, which was also a first in the area. She taught how to do make-overs using cosmetics and wigs. Once again, Mar-Val’s was the first to buy and sell wigs throughout Western NY.

All her life, she had wanted to be a teacher. At the age of 11, “Little Teacher” helped her sister Louise Jeffrey, teach her citizenship class. Later in life, Margaret received a Life Membership pin from the Fredonia P.T.A. She was the president of the Educational Assistance Fund several times. However, her greatest thrill was teaching her students in the Literacy program how to tell time by using money as minutes. for nine years,

Mrs. Valone also served on the College Council.

Mrs. Valone and her husband, Russ, helped to change the demeanor of Main Street in Fredonia. In 1978, they bought the property which housed Cards’ Restaurant before the devastating fire that destroyed it. A new beauty salon was constructed, which is now owned by Henry Pucciarelli. The Valones also bought the O’Connell building and remodeled it into stores on the ground floor and offices upstairs. They became the landlords of a 3 apartment house for college students on White Street.

She was a member of the Community coalition for the Fredonia Central School and served on the Board of Education from 1994-1997, she was secretary and treasurer of the Fredonia Organization of Retailers (FOR), the first board member of the Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce and the “pic lady” of the Fredonia Farm Festival.

Margaret loved to organize. In 1976, she was the chairperson of the Fredonia Bicentennial Committee, which planned an activity every month of the year. Then in 1999, she was the chairperson of the Sesquicentennial Committee. Later, she spearheaded the incredible Italian Festivals for the Chautauqua Italian American Organization (CIAO) and served as president and co-president with Charlie Sturnolo for 11 years. 1973, she conducted a survey to see if there was any interest for senior citizen housing. As a result, OneTemple Square was created.

Margaret received many honors. She was twice presented with the Community Leadership award from the NYS Hairdressers’ Association and received the Jiggs Dengler Award for community service. Margaret was the first woman to receive the Business Person of the Year from Fredonia State College and the only woman appointed to the First Small Business Committee. In addition, she was the chairperson of the Chautauqua Tourism committee and the director of Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

Mrs. Valone was a world traveler. She visited Italy many times, England, France, Southeast Asia and Africa. Margaret also loved dancing, singing, all kinds of music and sports. She as an avid Buffalo Bills fan.Margaret will be remembered for her famous Sunday dinners when she served meals to those who lost parents or grandparents and had no family.

At the end of her seventies, Margaret starting writing. Her first book was called, “Keep Laughing- Suture Self” her second was “Life is Sugar and Vinegar”, and she wrote a third book, “The Soup of Life”. She also wrote two plays entitled, “Roots Italian Way” and “Santa Meets Jesus”. She also wrote skits trying to teach Bible stories through drama. Lastly, the greatest joy in her life was writing a weekly column for the OBSERVER.

In 1978, Margaret joined the First Baptist Church in Dunkirk, which was like another family to her. She was a speaker for Christian Women.

Margaret is survived by her son, Daniel (Dorothy) Valone of St. Augustine, her sister Josephine Christopher, two granddaughters, a grandson and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Russell, Margaret was preceded in death by her son, Russell Jr., and her sisters, Louise Jeffrey and Rose Murphy and five other siblings.

Margaret’s Funeral Service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Dunkirk, 876 Central Ave., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service and may call at the Fantauzzi Funeral Home, 82 East Main Street, Fredonia, NY on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 from 3-6 p.m.

Margaret has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations, in her memory, may be made to the Central Christian Academy or the First Baptist Church of Dunkirk, NY. All arrangements have been entrusted to Michael R. Fantauzzi, Owner and Director.