Obituary of Bernice Valvo Spinley

Bernice Valvo Spinley, dedicated wife and mother, and cherished friend, passed away

on December 16 th , 2025, at the age of 82 in Cheektowaga, NY.

Bernice was born on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1943, in Silver Creek, New York, the

daughter of Benjamin and Mary ( nee Militello) Valvo. Her mother said she was the best Mother’s Day

present she ever received.

Bernie, as she was called by close friends, had a life-long passion for music and studied

voice, piano, and the bassoon. She spent much of her free time attending concerts, jazz

festivals, and Buffalo Philharmonic concerts. Bernice could always be found with a

crossword or word find book nearby and took great pleasure in completed the daily

crossword (in pen).

An ardent supporter of the Democrat Party, she spent many years working for Erie

County and devoted countless hours during campaign season helping get out the vote

in local communities. Bernice was at her happiest when spending time with family, life-

long friends and meeting new people. Even in retirement, she volunteered her time at

the Buffalo International Airport helping welcome visitors to the area.

Bernice is preceded in death by her father, Benjamin, her mother, Mary, and her brother

Carl. She is survived by her husband, Jerry of East Amherst, her son, David, and her

daughter Catherine, both of Brooklyn, NY, sisters-in-law Sally Clark Valvo and Joan

Spinley, nieces Michelle Valvo, Jennifer (Stephen) McCann, and nephew Paul Spinley III.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 9^th at St. Mary’s Church, 8049 Stahley Rd. East Amherst, NY at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Buffalo, an organization that treated the entire family with extraordinary kindness and care in Bernice’s final days.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave. Silver Creek, NY. Please share online condolences at www.holeparkerfc.com.