Valerie E Feeney

Valerie Feeney (Guyash), a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in front of her fireplace on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 93, at her longtime home in East Hanover, New Jersey.  Born in Newark, N.J., on November 4, 1932, to Anthony and Elizabeth McEvoy Goyetche, Valerie grew up in her parents’ rooming house on Warren Place during the Great Depression with her two older half-brothers, Edward and Joseph Caffrey, and a younger sister.

Happily married to Newark Fireman John Feeney for over 25 years until his early death in 1979, the couple lovingly welcomed their eight children: Patricia Oxx, John (Jackie) J. Feeney Jr., Eileen Feeney, Maureen Hoehn, Colleen Feeney, Valerie Dingelstedt, Kathleen Downey and Michael Feeney, in the Vailsburg section of Newark and later East Hanover.  Valerie also raised her beloved nephew Wayne Caffrey, who passed away at 15 from cancer.   A widow at 47, Valerie single handedly raised her eight children and joyfully watched the expansion of her family into 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Valerie’s 50-year professional career as a working mother included NJ Bell Telephone Co., Foster Wheeler, Mutual Benefit, and the Essex County Surrogate's Office, from which she retired at the age of 70.

Valerie was a longtime Democratic and community activist, serving as a founding member and past President of The Women of Irish Heritage, former President of the Giblin Association, 1979 Deputy Grand Marshal of the Newark Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, a member of the Cryan Association, and the first female Chairwoman of the Irish Festival in New Jersey. Valerie was recognized with many awards for her unwavering commitment to expanding Irish music, literature, and culture to the next generation. She was passionate about reading, politics, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After retirement, she enjoyed summers by her pool in East Hanover and at the shore in Spring Lake and Belmar, and warm winters in Naples, Florida. Always the life of the party, Valerie lit up every room and inspired everyone with her love for life and family. She will be forever remembered.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Saturday, January 24th from 1-4pm.  The funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at St. Vincent Martyr Roman Catholic Church in Madison at 10am, followed by the interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. The mass will be available virtually at www.svmnj.org/livestream-mass for those who are unable to attend. 

DUE TO EXPECTED INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FUNERAL MASS AND BURIAL HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Valerie Feeney with a designation to The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. All gifts will be acknowledged to the family.  Donations can be made online at cbmcgiving.org or via phone at 973-322-4330. Checks can also be mailed to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Development Department, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052.  

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Valerie E Feeney, please visit our Tree Store.