Obituary of Valerie Ann Riviello-Drew

SLINGERLANDS - Valerie Ann Riviello-Drew, 63, of Slingerlands, formerly of Clifton Park, entered into rest on January 16, 2023. The daughter of the late James D. and Beatrice M. (Conte) Riviello, Valerie was born on May 13, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York. She was raised in Brooklyn, Poughkeepsie and Voorheesville, NY. Val was a graduate of Clayton A. Bouton High School and the Albany Medical Center School of Nursing. Val was passionate about nursing and teaching. She worked as an RN/Psychiatric Nurse Manager for the Department of Veteran's Affairs in Albany for almost 30 years. Upon retiring from the VA, she went on to work as an adjunct nursing professor for Maria College and Mildred Elley College. Val was awarded "Teacher of the Year" and she was a recipient of the prestigious "Florence Nightingale Award" for nursing. Val was also a fierce advocate for veteran’s rights. Valerie will be warmly remembered as being kind-hearted, smart, witty, sociable, compassionate, and selfless. She enjoyed cooking, art, reading, writing poetry, and organizing holiday events. She was a proud Italian whose door was always open to others and she took pride in supporting those in need. Survivors include her husband of nearly 8 years, Kermith Drew, whom she married on June 14, 2015, her brother; Jim Riviello (Kathy Riviello) and family (Brianne Brown, Abby Riviello and Andrew Riviello), and her sister; Liz Riviello-Holmes (Marcus Holmes) and family (Ash Holmes, Taylor Holmes, Morgan Holmes and Mandy Holmes). The Family wishes to thank St. Peter's Hospital for their loving care. Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with Val’s family from 10AM until 11AM on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Christ the King Church, 20 Sumpter Avenue, Albany, NY 12203. A Memorial Mass will follow the visitation at 11 o’clock in Christ the King Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities below. www.Donate.NursesHouse.org OR www.K9sForWarriors.org Fond Memories and Expressions of Sympathy may be shared with Val’s Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com