Jill Valenti, a dedicated community volunteer and esteemed member of the American Red Cross, passed away on February 21, 2025. Jill devoted most of her life to serving on the boards of charitable organizations and schools throughout the country. She had over 45 years of volunteer experience with the American Red Cross. Jill was a Life Member of the Red Cross Board of Greater Los Angeles and an Emeritus Board Member of the Tampa Bay Chapter. She was the Founding Chair of the Los Angeles and Tampa Tiffany Circles and served on the Tiffany Circle National Council. Jill was also a member of the National Philanthropic Board from its inception until her retirement in June 2021.

Jill began her Red Cross career in Tampa, Florida, as a Charter Member of the Red Cross Angels, a women’s fundraising guild, where she also served as President for two years. She served on the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Chapter for 19 years, including two as Chapter Chair and a few months as acting CEO. She spearheaded the merger between the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater Chapters.

While living in Seattle, Washington, Jill served as Board Vice Chair for Development. During this time, she worked with their new CEO to create a new development department with programs for board giving, planned giving, an internet auction, and a collaborative relationship with National fundraisers.

Jill was Chairman of the Los Angeles board for two years and, following Katrina, collaborated with the staff to establish the Catastrophic Disaster Plan. She also chaired the Community Outreach Task Force, whose mission was to bring better services to the citizens of Los Angeles.

Jill was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Educated at Connecticut College and the University of Miami, she lived throughout the United States while her husband, Joe, was in the Coast Guard. For 15 years, she had the opportunity to travel around the world with Joe on his assignments for Holland America and Crystal Cruise Lines. Since his retirement, they have lived in Tampa, Florida. They have two children and three grandchildren.

On September 21, 2019, Jill was the inaugural recipient of the Tiffany Circle Above and Beyond Leadership Award, presented by the Tiffany Circle National Council. On September 29, 2022, she and Joe became Chairman’s Council members, commemorating a lifetime giving of $1 million.

Those privileged to work with Jill quickly affirm that in every sense of the word, Jill was a true “Red Crosser.” She was a fundraiser’s “fundraiser” and was undaunted by most any worthwhile endeavor. Her love of the people of the Red Cross and desire to do whatever she could to help those suffering from disasters fueled her compassion and commitment as a Red Cross volunteer. She was the consummate warm smile and gentle hand that embodied the work of the Red Cross, and through her service, she touched and empowered countless lives.

Jill will be deeply missed, but her enduring impact will continue to guide and inspire.

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