Valerie A Materia

Valerie Ann (Wilson) Materia, 65, of Forked River passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023, following a long battle with lung cancer.  Valerie, also called “Sissy” by all those who knew and loved her, was originally from Garwood, New Jersey where she grew up and met her devoted husband, William “Bill” Materia.  They eventually moved to Jackson, NJ in 1990 where they spent many wonderful years with family and friends.  Sissy and Bill moved to Forked River, NJ in 2013 and she opened a successful local business called “Sweet Treats and Ice Cream”.  She was a terrific cook and baker and many in the community enjoyed her delicious desserts and homemade ice cream flavors.  Bill and Sissy have enjoyed their life in Forked River on the bay with their cats Oliver and Freddy, surrounded by Sissy’s beautiful garden and flowers that she tirelessly tended to and loved so much.                

Sissy was most proud of being the mother to six children and three grandchildren who she loved more than anything in the world and called her “angels”.   She always made time for each one of them and provided constant support and love.  Sissy will always be known as the best mother and grandmother any of them could have asked for.  She made every birthday and holiday special, especially her favorite holiday, Christmas.  She would work tirelessly to make sure everything was just right with so many presents, decorations and a delicious holiday meal.  These are the memories her family will cherish forever.

Sissy loved to travel with Bill and their friends and went on many, many vacations with them.  They cruised together, traveled to exotic places and foreign countries and also enjoyed riding Bill’s Harley trike up and down the East Coast.  Sissy was a one-of-a kind personality that “told it like it is” and overall, one tough lady.  She never stopped fighting in her battle with cancer and no matter how sick she was, she was always determined.  When anyone else would have broken, Sissy remained strong.  Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly looks like and we are forever grateful for the time we had with her.  

She was predeceased by her parents, George and Angelina (Sanzalone) Wilson.

Sissy is survived by her beloved husband William; her children, Dawn, Crystal, William Jr., Joseph, Micheal and Robert; her grandchildren Kiley, Anthony and Justin; her brothers Robert (Terry) Wilson, Michael (Sandy) Wilson, Raymond Wilson, her sister Mariann (Andy) Puszkar, her sister-in-law, Roseann (Rob) Marcella, her brother in-law Paul (Pam) Materia, her uncle Albert Cheety Sr. and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations instead be made to Veterans Affairs at va.gov.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Valerie A Materia, please visit our floral store.