Valerie Lynn (Mattei) Copela

Valerie Lynn Mattei Copela, 75, of West Haven, CT, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on February 10, 2026. Valerie was born in New Haven on October 6, 1950, to Angela Fattore Mattei Germe and Edward Mattei, and was helped raised by her grandmother Antoinette Fattore, Uncle Clement Fattore, and stepfather Frank Germe with her sister Marian Montano and brother Edward Mattei. 

She met her beloved husband Nicholas A. Copela at age 14 and became high school sweethearts. They had a loving marriage for 55 years. Her in-laws, Peter and Lena Copela, and Marian and Marie Tirollo loved her like their own daughter. 

She became a young mother, and being a mother was the most important and beloved job of her life. 

She was an active member of St. Paul’s Church, where she helped work at bingo. She proudly became an Eucharistic Minister of St. Lawrence Church and later an active member of St. Louis Church of St. John XXIII Parish. Her Catholic faith was extremely important to her, and she practiced it in every aspect of her life.

She is survived by the loves of her life, her children, Valerie (Scott) Paterson and Nicholas (Andrea) Copela, all of West Haven. She is also survived by her grandchildren, who were her world, pride, and joy: Julia Paterson, Tianna Thomas, Megan Paterson, Nicholas M. Copela, and Joseph Copela, all of West Haven. She was loved and adored by many family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from three to six o’clock at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green.  On Monday, all are requested to meet directly at St. Louis Church, 89 Bull Hill Lane, West Haven.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the American Lung Association, www.lung.org/.

To leave an online message for Val's family, please visit our website www.westhavenfuneral.com.

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