Rae (Fortin) Valdes

"Mother is a verb. It's something you do. Not just who you are." Rae (Fortin) Valdes, the devoted mother of Justin Valdes, passed away at her Dracut residence on Sunday, December 10, 2017 surrounded by her beloved family. She was 64.

Rae was one of eleven children of the late Raymond and Barbara (Hayes) Fortin, born in Brookline on July 1, 1953.

She was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse working at the Tewksbury State Hospital for more than 40 years.

Rae was a happy fun loving person who enjoyed singing and dancing. She liked to take charge within her family and was often referred to as "The Little General" by her siblings. Rae always opened her home and shared her love of cooking and baking by hosting Sunday dinners, the holidays, summer cookouts and pig roasts.

Rae used her talent and passion for crochet and knitting to give back to others. She would knit and crochet hats for children with cancer. Rae would distribute the hats to many Boston hospitals. She cherished the thank you note she received from a child a few years ago.

Rae adored the sun and loved to be poolside everyday. She always made sure she and Justin visited the beach for a few weeks every summer.
A passionate football fan, Rae was a massive New England Patriots supporter cheering every Sunday.

Surviving Rae besides her son Justin Valdes of Dracut are her sisters, brothers and their spouses, Patricia Fortin of Dracut, Renee and John Kelly of Brookline, June Graham of Tyngsboro, Alan Fortin of South Carolina, Denise Fortin and Vinny McCoy of Dracut, Kevin Fortin of Lowell, Brian and Shelia Fortin of Hudson, NH, Gene Fortin of Dracut, Lisa Fortin of Lowell; sisters in law and brothers in law, Alicia Valdes of Raymond, NH, Aida Valdes of Puerto Rico, Ramon and Madeline Cruz of Dracut; Justin's girlfriend Karissa Mennella; and several nieces and nephews. Rae was predeceased by her brother Gary Fortin and her brother in law John Kevin Graham.