Patricia Valentine

VALENTINE

Patricia Valentine (née Solenski), a fiercely loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, died on May 5, 2025, at the age of 82.

She did not go peacefully— not surprisingly, she fought like hell until the very end.

Pat was smart, artistic, and resilient. She was equal parts charm and complexity. She was a musician in her youth, playing piano and oboe, and her love of music ran deep. She raised her children on a soundtrack of the Rolling Stones, Motown, country, and Elvis. She adored Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings so much she started their fan clubs in Trenton in the 1960s, and even dined backstage with Willie and friends. She could out-dance anyone—from Bandstand-era bop to ’70s disco—and she did it all with style.

She was a force at the card table—strategic, sharp, and fiercely competitive in poker, pinochle, Scrabble, crosswords, and anything that required wit. She loved game shows, board games, the Jersey shore, and the occasional weekend escape there with her girls. And she loved the casino. Slot machines were her favorite; she could sit at one for hours, and frequently did.

She had great taste and style. Her home was filled with antiques and treasures she loved, and she always dressed with care. She was a beauty at every age.

She joked that she was the Princess and the Pea, sensitive to every discomfort—but she was stronger than most. She survived lung cancer, major surgeries, and chose to live on her own terms when the cancer returned.

She raised four children on her own, built a career in cosmetology, managed salons, and eventually worked for a professional hair company until health issues forced her to stop. She was endlessly capable and determined.

She was a safe place when you needed one, and a firestorm when you crossed her. She wasn’t easy—but she was ours. She didn’t just raise her children —she gave them everything she had, and loved them with everything she was.

Later in life, she found the love she’d always deserved—with Frank, who saw her fully and made her feel cherished. They lived in Nevada, Florida, and finally returned to the Philadelphia area. After Frank’s passing, she lived with her daughter for a decade, helping with the grandkids, before moving into a senior apartment complex where she found friendship and community. She formed a special bond with a kind neighbor, Anne, whose steady presence and support meant a great deal as her health declined.

Pat was the beloved wife of the late Frank Pitz. She was the loving mother of Kim Winnick (Dan Murphy), Kelly Brehant (Bill), Kayleen Slifkin (Rick), and the late Keith Winnick. She was Mom Mom to Rose, Joe, Eli, Michael (Mary Beth), M.K. (Allie), Ashley, Billy (Sierra), Brianna (Chris), Gabby (Jaime), and Emily (Chris), and Babcia to Nolan, Zoe, Lucas, Gavin, Cameron, and Bryce.

She was the dear sister of Rose (the late Reds), Donna (the late Jack), Tommy (Dottie), and Bobby, and was predeceased by her siblings Paul, Lenny, Gerry, and Michael.

Services and interment were held privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her honor. Donations can be made at https://www.stjude.org/donate.