Valerie Jean Olivia Ghilani Kadra
May 10, 1933 – May 18, 2024

Valerie (Ghilani) Kadra, 91 of Ashland passed away Sat. May 18th at her home with her family by her side.  She was the wife of the late Robert, (Bob), Kadra Sr who died in 2015. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Theresa (Grandoni) Ghilani, and the sister of Leslie Ghilani Elkins and Frank Ghilani.

She is survived by her three children; Blake Kadra and his wife Karlene of Eastham; Robert Kadra Jr. and his partner Janice Fowler of Ashland; and Karen Torti and her husband Christopher of Framingham; six grandchildren; Jennifer Bernardi and husband Anthony, Jocelyn Allen and husband Daniel, and Brittany Salituro and her husband Eric, and Alex Torti and his partner Nusha, Nick Torti and Michael Torti; and three great grandchildren, Dylan and Francesca Bernardi, and Rook Allen. Valerie also blessed the lives of Allyson, Sarah and Adam Moses as part of her larger family.

The family wishes to send their heartfelt thanks to their mother's care team, Nicole, Chelsie & Brianna, for the loving attention that was given Valerie over the past few months.

Valerie and Bob met after graduating high school in 1951 as members of musical productions as Valerie was a dancer and Bob a singer. They married in 1954.  Valerie was a bookkeeper for Goodwin Furniture of Framingham and later with private accounting firms in the MetroWest area.

Her love of family was never more evident than with her grandchildren. She would spend afternoons in the pool with them or sharing her joy of songs, games, stories and top-secret family recipes.

The Kadra home was often the place for large gatherings of both family and friends, whether it be a Holiday meal, a cookout as the Boston Marathon passed by or a night of laughter and cheer, with both in abundance. Valerie would always make certain everyone was enjoying
themselves.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wed. May 22nd at 11:00am in St. Cecilia's Church, 54 Esty St. Ashland with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wed from 9:00-10:30am in the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland. www.mataresefuneral.com  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.