Yesenia Valle, age 44 of Ballston Lake passed away on Thursday February 11, 2016. Born on December 9, 1971 in Newark, NJ she was the daughter of Maria Irizarry and Eduardo Perez.

Yesenia received her Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and was a member and past president of Omega Phi Chi sorority. She received her Master’s in special education with a bilingual certification from New Jersey City University.

She was a 4th grade teacher in the Newark, NJ public school system for 5 years before relocating to Ballston Lake. She was currently employed as a specialist with the Regional Bilingual Education Network (RBERN) Specialist for Questar III Boces, where she was dedicated to improving the lives of students whose first language was not English. She was actively involved in the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI) coordinated each year through Questar III. Her impact and legacy will continue with the local delegation of students who will participate in next month’s Institute, as well as countless others she mentored, coached and trained over the past several years.

She enjoyed scrapbooking, listening to music and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband Roberto Valle III, daughters Alyssa and Ariana Valle, brother Felix Perez, sister Wilmarie Salazar, nieces, nephews, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, and many cousins and god-children.

Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Catricala Funeral Home, 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, with a funeral Mass on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Edward’s Church in Clifton Park. Burial will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Autism Society, 101 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305, or by going to www.albanyautism.org.