Valerie Misell Del Porto


Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Valerie Misell Del Porto passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026. She left this world surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her longtime home—something her family worked tirelessly to make possible, knowing how much it meant to everyone involved in her care, but most importantly, to her.

Valerie was born on October 17, 1933, and spent most of her formative years in Salt Lake City, graduating from South High School in 1951. She entered this world as the child of a military family and lived through an extraordinary span of American history, beginning life during the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt and departing during the current era. Along the way, she was fortunate to live in and travel to many parts of the United States, including Newport, Rhode Island, and San Diego, California.

At heart, Valerie was a beach girl. She loved the ocean and cherished time spent near the water. Throughout her life, she traveled to Hawaii, California, Mexico, and other coastal destinations. She was also fortunate enough to visit Seoul, South Korea; Chile; and to take part in a family European tour. In addition, she enjoyed many cruises, where she always seemed completely in her element.

On December 23, 1955, she married her husband, Delbert, beginning a partnership that took many forms and endured until his passing in 2004. Primarily a homemaker, Valerie devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family. She was deeply passionate about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and found her greatest joy in raising and spending time with them. They remained the light of her life to the very end.

Nothing made her happier than a visit from someone she loved—especially her children and grandchildren. And if you ever wanted to see the true meaning of a “mama bear,” all you had to do was say something negative about one of them. Valerie loved her family with a fierce and unwavering devotion, something those who loved her deeply understood and cherished.

Valerie was also talented in the kitchen and embraced her marriage to a man of Italian heritage by becoming quite skilled at preparing traditional Italian dishes. Her spaghetti sauce was worth the price of admission and was a staple at many family gatherings, particularly those at the family cabin she owned for many years in the Manor Lands area of the Uintas. Weekends at “The Cabin” created countless fond family memories and were something she truly loved.

Wendover was another place she frequented and cherished. She loved the slot machines and spent plenty of time (and money!) trying to get those blasted 7’s to line up. Many times—particularly in her younger years—she would return home claiming she had “won,” and was usually quick to share some of those “winnings” with loved ones. While our family occasionally held some skepticism about how often she actually came out ahead, the gesture of sharing what she brought home spoke volumes about her kind and generous heart.

During these pilgrimages to her own “holy land,” she was also known to enjoy a few Bloody Marys while pulling on those handles—or later, pushing those buttons. Regardless, she absolutely loved the noise and neon (and secondhand smoke!) of a Nevada casino, and her family and friends did their best to get her there whenever they could.

Valerie was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert; her parents, Jack and Evora Misell; and her sister, Lorraine Freestone.

She is survived by her children Caryn Hunt (Richard), Dan Del Porto (Shelley), and Brett Del Porto; grandchildren John, Sarah, and Cathryn Hunt; Christopher and Madisyn Del Porto; and Nick, Stephanie, and Britney Jarvis; as well as her great-grandchildren Paige Del Porto and Sonny Jarvis. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Vicki Varela, and nieces Janeil Reed and Pat Freestone Singleton.

Ensuring a peaceful and comfortable final chapter for Valerie was truly a team effort. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate caregivers at Valeo Home Health and Canyon Home Health and Hospice. We are especially grateful to her primary care nurse and neighbor, Rachael Kendrick, as well as Nurse Erika Buie. Her daily and weekend aides, Sarah Moe and Elizabeth Muro, showed genuine compassion and concern for Valerie and contributed greatly to the exceptional care she received each day—thank you both!

Of special note is her weekend caregiver, Unisa (“Sa”) Saafi. Your sweet disposition, genuine love, and willingness to go the extra mile brightened those long weekend days for our mother. Thank you, Sa.

Our sincere and deepest gratitude goes out to her devoted, primary caregiver, Wilda Marie Petit-Fiere. For nine years, Wilda cared for Valerie daily with extraordinary love, patience, and compassion. Her heart was as big as the ocean Valerie loved so much, and her care will never be forgotten. Wilda, you became part of our family, and our mother loved you deeply. Thank you for loving and caring for her the way you did.

Special thanks also to Anna Kozole for the love and guidance you provided, and to dear family friends Fares and Ellie Arguello, who were with us at the end to support our family.

A celebration of life will be held in May. Details will follow.

Like the ocean tide she loved so much, her life leaves a lasting imprint—steady, strong, and forever felt by those who loved her.