Valentina C. (Duarte) Licciardo, 79, of Dracut, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at The Highlands in Fitchburg, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.
She was born on August 31, 1946, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, Portugal, a daughter of the late Manuel Duarte and the late Maria Jose (Tavares) Duarte. Her father died when she was only three years old, and she was raised by her mother and her stepfather, the late Manuel Garrafa. At the age of ten, Valentina came to the United States with her mother and sister, and the family settled in Lowell, where she attended the Lowell schools. She later earned her bachelor's degree by taking classes through the government while working full time, a testament to the determination that marked her whole life. She went on to a long career as a budget analyst in government service, a hard worker who never shied away from overtime and who took quiet pride in supporting herself and standing on her own two feet.
In 1966, Valentina married Roy C. Licciardo Sr., who predeceased her in 1998. She was later married to Peter Batsakis, who also predeceased her.
Valentina was a genuinely happy person, upbeat and warm, never one to hold negativity. She was a loving, encouraging and forgiving mother, strong when she needed to be, and decisive in a way that left no doubt where she stood. She loved to dance, loved the beach, and loved to cook. She had a wonderful eye for fashion and quite the wardrobe to match; she always knew what would look good and wore it with style. For a number of years she spent her winters in Florida. She was a longtime communicant of St. Anthony's Church in Lowell, and during her marriage to Pete she often attended services at the Greek church as well. Above all, she loved her family, especially her children, and she was generous to them always, never a burden to anyone.
Valentina is survived by her two sons, Christopher M. Licciardo and his wife Amanda of Fitzwilliam, NH, and Roy C. Licciardo and his wife Celina of Mason City, IL; her sister, Rachel Lipomi of Lowell; her four grandchildren, Jeremy Licciardo and his wife Sara of Gardner, MA, Violet Licciardo of Mason City, IL, Roy Licciardo III of Mason City, IL, and Jimmy Joyce of Wilmington, MA; and her great-grandson, Roman. She was predeceased by her husbands, Roy C. Licciardo Sr. and Peter Batsakis.
Funeral services and burial at Lowell Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Valentina C. Licciardo may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460, or online at www.alz.org/manh. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. For additional information or to offer an online condolence, please visit www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com.