Betty Valine Alei
Betty Valine Alei
Betty Valine Alei
December 30, 1928 -March 25, 2023
On March 25, 2023 Betty Valine Alei, loving mother, passed away at the age of ninety-four. She was born on December 30, 1928 to Joseph and Rosie Valine. Joseph was a farmer in West Sacramento and Rosie came to the U.S. from Pico Azores Portugal when she was 18. Betty was the youngest of 7 siblings, Lawrence, Joseph, Lorraine, Ethel, Bernice, Jimmy, and Betty. Betty grew up in West Sacramento. As a young girl she would often ride her horse to the Pheasant Club to visit her friend, Rita Palmedisi. In 1949 she married Joseph Garozzo. They had two sons, Michael and Martin Garozzo. While they were young Betty worked at Balshor Florist as a bookkeeper. Later she worked at Hiram Johnson High School as a counselor’s clerk. She went next to work at Sacramento City College until her retirement. In November 1984 Betty married Mahmood Alei.
Betty was known for her baking and gardening. For years she would always take a cake or pie to her appointments. She even adopted her local fire department and had a schedule so she didn’t miss a shift and would take a baked good each month. She was a faithful woman and was always saying a rosary for her friends and family when they were experiencing difficult times.
Betty is survived by her two sons, Martin Garozzo (Katherine), Michael Garozzo (Marlyn) and her step son Steve Alei (Sabrina), her self-adopted family Wesley and Nancy Yee and many nieces nephews and cousins and their extended families.
Betty was a giver to her family, her friends, and her community. She belonged to the VFW in West Sacramento knitted untold numbers of lap blankets for veterans. Her endless energy amazed and inspired all.
A special Thank you to Rosemary Wood who provided communion every Friday and for Joan Luchessi for her haircuts and for those who cared for her at Waterleaf Assisted Living.
A funeral mass will be held at St Anthonys Church 660 Florin Road Sacramento on April 19 at Eleven AM followed immediately by a memorial reception in her honor. Internment at St. Mary’s Cemetery will be private. If you desire, donations can be made to the American Lung Association or Dementia Society of America or to a charity of the donors choice.