Our beloved Valerie Perotti completed her full and happy life on January 10, 2022. As a wife, mother, grandmother, niece, and cousin she leaves a legacy of smart, funny and caring family members who share a gratitude for her presence in their lives. Her work as an award-winning professor, scholar, colleague, mentor and fraternity member have inspired and supported many, many more people at all stages of their careers. She loved family, cooking, teaching, music, games and traveling.
Valerie was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and grew up in the loving Cwiklinski family in Bucks County. She completed a degree at Holy Family University in 1963. She pursued an M.A. in Pittsburgh, where she met her husband, James. In 1987, Valerie completed her PhD and joined Jim on the faculty at Ohio University’s College of Business. She was an outstanding professor, winning national awards for pedagogical innovations; she was named University Professor, the university’s highest teaching award.
Valerie and Jim raised three sons in Athens, Ohio and the dinner table at their hilltop home often included many more friends. Their 56 year marriage has been an exemplar of love and mutual support for all around them. In 2001, the Perottis retired and relocated to Pittsford, NY to be closer to their grandchildren. Valerie and Jim served for several years as distinguished lecturers at RIT’s Saunders College of Business.
She is survived by husband James, sons Victor (Milagros), Kevin (Cynthia) and Erik (Jen) and ten grandchildren: Emily, Eliot, Clara, Evan, Delaney, Lillien, Maia, Gillian, Leonora and Vivian. The family invites contributions to the Drs James and Valerie Perotti scholarship fund at Ohio University.