Margaret "Pat" Mary (Fagan) Valentine

Margaret was born on January 31, 1930, to James L. Fagan and Margaret Fagan in Chicago, Illinois. Margaret, or Marguerite as her family and friends fondly called her, met her future husband, Rodney F. Valentine, while performing at the Oaks Supper Club in Winona, Minnesota. At the time, Rodney was a lieutenant in the US Navy, and Marguerite was touring under the stage name, Pat Donnelly, a name given to her by her first TV producer. They were married in Chicago on March 7, 1953. The couple moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1956 where they raised their five children.

While Rod was busy establishing his dental practice, "Pat" became a well-known figure in Des Moines, performing on radio, television, and on stage. She is best known as the longtime spokesperson for Anderson Erickson Dairy (affectionately referred to as The AE Lady) and also for her Pat Valentine Show on WHO-TV. Pat’s vocal talent was showcased in the St. Augustin Church choir, where she was the soloist. She also performed in many theatre productions at The Des Moines Community Playhouse and was featured in the “Music Under the Stars” concerts at the Iowa State Capitol performing along with the Des Moines Symphony.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband Rodney, sister Rita Jane Burns, brother James Bernard Fagan, and granddaughter Samantha Valentine. Left to cherish her memories are her children, Aileen (Richard) Elliott, Stephen (Mary) Valentine, Thomas Valentine, Margaret “Meg” Valentine, and Elizabeth "Beth" (Denis) Sugrue; sisters Noreen Fagan and Patricia (Frank) DeFrank. Pat was the devoted Nonny to ten grandchildren and the beloved Great Non to three great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Fontana, Wisconsin, at 11 a.m. on November 30, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls of Chicago. Mercyhome.org.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Pat's family