Lora Valsi, 81, passed away at home in Huntington Woods on Monday, May 11, 2020.

The only child of Adam Paciotti and Finalba Giaconi, she was born on November 2, 1938 in Dearborn and grew up in the closely-knit Italian community. Although she was the first in her family to pursue higher education, she interrupted her piano studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to move to New York where she worked for an advertising agency on Madison Avenue. She moved to Italy in the mid-1960s and taught English in Turin for several years before returning to the Detroit area where she married Adelchi “Ed” Valsi on May 11, 1968. She developed a passionate interest in early childhood education and became deeply involved with the Detroit Waldorf School and community. Further pursuing her own education, she earned a teaching degree through the Waldorf Institute and Oakland University. Lora was instrumental in founding the Waldorf Kinderhouse in Southfield, and continued to pass on her experience as a trainer of new teachers.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Surviving are her daughter, Claudia Valsi-Sandmeier and son-in-law Scott of Freiburg, Germany, her son Marco Valsi and partner Tammy Gallo of Sedona, Arizona, grandchildren Paul and Ian, sister-in-law Michelina Kansier and family, god-daughter Katherine MacNair, loyal friend Pavol Cellar, and several cousins. She will also be remembered by many friends who will greatly miss her wisdom, inspiration, and the warmth of her friendship. The family would like to especially thank her gentle caregivers and the nurses from St. Joseph Hospice Care.

A memorial service may be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Detroit Waldorf School, 2555 Burns, Detroit, MI 48214.

Arrangements, as per her request, by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.