An avid listener of talk radio

"Mrs. Valakos was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes. She was also a backyard bird-watcher and an avid listener of talk radio."

Thursday nights'll never be the same

"Ida was a wonderful mother and homemaker, and life-long Red Sox fan. She instilled many important values in her family, one of which was to make the community part of her family, and her family part of the community.

"Her doors and house were always open to those who were hungry or who had no place to stay. People from as far away as China, Germany, Italy, and Russia have graced her table and knew of her hospitality. Thursday nights were her most favorite time for family and friends to gather as she hosted her spaghetti and meatball dinners with multiple home made desserts."