Valerie A. Maggiani

Valerie A. (Diehl) Maggiani, 81, passed away at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.  Valerie was born in St. Charles, IL, on May 11, 1942, daughter of Leonard and Ann (McNally) Diehl. 

The first five years of Valerie’s life were spent in Oberlin, OH and State College, PA, where her father was a college swimming coach, as well as other sports teams.  After the untimely passing of her father, the family moved to Freeport and Baldwin, Long Island, NY.

A savant, she was not.  In extra curricular activities she was a scholar including as mascot of Freeport High, Class of 1960.  From there it was Anchors Away as she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, station in Washington, DC.  Employments came and went but working for Boston Family Planning as a Family Planning Counselor, Sex Educator, and Trainer was a very special awakening. 

She married Charles “Chuck” Maggiani in 1983 in San Diego, CA.  They moved to Grants Pass, OR, and in 1988, Eastport welcomed them with open arms.  On June 15, 1990, they opened La Sardina Loca in the downstairs of the Masonic Building in Eastport.  They always thought of their restaurant as a gift from God. 

In addition to her parents, Valerie was predeceased by her Chuck; as well as elder family members.  Valerie is survived by her sons, Lenny Maggiani of Eastport and Tommy Nelligan and wife Weeze of Seattle, WA; granddaughters Journey Maggiani and Sarah Nelligan; great-grandchildren, McKeyan and Maliya Francis; sister Judith Handran; nephews Billy, Ken, and Michael Park. 

Valerie writes her love, appreciation, hope and thank yous to the La Sardina Loca family; and the many, many, many memories and to all of my community HerStory Saga.  Thank You for Eastport.