Valentine Ranco (1912-2008) founded the Indian Moccasin Shop in Wells with her husband, Leslie Ranco, in 1949.

"With her husband, Leslie J. Ranco, owned and operated the Indian Moccasin Shop, Wells, for approximately 53 years." They were survived by many children and grandchildren (who are listed in the obituaries). Bangor Daily News obituary for Valentine Ranco

When she turned 90, she was the Penobscot Nation's oldest living member. - Ranco Celebrates 90th Birthday

''We lost our tribe's grandmother,'' said Chief Kirk Francis. ''Val Ranco was our oldest tribal member and she was a fluent speaker and very, very culturally sound and she just loved her tribe. Even as she was dying ... she made it very clear that she didn't want anything canceled [during the Wabanaki Confederacy conference]. She wanted us to go on with the confederacy, which really says it all about her. She really put her tribe first. It's just a tremendous loss. These are our links to our past and she takes with her a tremendous amount of knowledge.'' Indian Country Today

Today, a Pow wow is held - the annual Val Ranco Pow Wow - each year in honor of June's mother, Valentine, named for the holiday. This is the 16th year of the event, which started in 2008, the year Val Ranco passed. She was ninety-six, the oldest living Penobscot at that time. - Portland Monthly

Bibliography:

Press Herald Obituary for Leslie Ranco - 7/16/1996

Journal Tribune Obituary for Leslie Ranco - 7/16/1996

Ranco Celebrates 90th Birthday - John Swinconeck, YCCS, Feb 21, 2002

Bangor Daily News Obituary for Valentine Ranco - 9/25/2008

Holy Road: Penobscots lose tribe's 'grandmother' - Gale Courey Tosnsing - Indian Country Today - 7/21/2008

Portland Monthly, Nov 2018 - The 10 Most Intriguing People in Maine 2018

Indian Village at K'Port No More - Last of Tribe Buildings Razed This Week - Kennebunk Star, 4/24/1936