Obituary of Valerie Arlene Leahy

Valerie Arlene Leahy (nee Burns) passed peacefully away on April 14, 2022 surrounded by her family. She was 82 years old.  Valerie is survived by her loving husband Paul of 60 years, her daughter Kathie and husband Ken of Fredon, NJ, daughter Maureen and partner Lorelei of Kutztown, PA, son Paul and wife Tara, of Sweet Valley, PA, daughter Janine and partner Anthony of Parsippany, NJ, her sister Suzanne and husband Joe of Pinehurst, NC, her sister-in-law Nancy of Naples, FL, her seven grandchildren, Christopher and fiancée Meghin, Kyle, Cody, Kaitlyn and her husband Jeremy, Shauna, Andrew and Emily, as well as her many nieces and nephews. Valerie was also a great grandmother to be.   Valerie was pre-deceased by her parents, Robert & Marguerite, her daughter Christine, her brother Robert, her brother-in-law Rod, her nephew Mark and her sister Margot.

Valerie was born and raised in East Orange, NJ. She graduated from East Orange High School in 1956. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for Franklin Title Insurance Company for several years.  In 1960, Valerie met her husband, Paul. They were married in 1962 and lived in Newark until finding a home in Parsippany where they raised their family.   Valerie was a stay-at-home mother for over 15 years.   During that time, she was very active with her children’s activities. She was a girl scout leader, active with the PTA and a home healthcare aide.   After many years of staying home, Valerie ventured back into the work place.  She worked for Baker Industries as a legal assistant and General Chemical as an Executive Administrative Assistant until her retirement.

Valerie’s greatest love in life was her family.  Spending time with her family, creating special memories was extremely important to her.  She always made her family feel special, no matter the occasion. She was constantly giving of herself.  Family and their happiness came first, no matter what. She was a selfless individual.  To her family, she was more than a mother and a wife.  She was a friend, mentor and confidante. She was influential in her guidance and a role model on how to be kind, compassionate and selfless.  Her love, caring, kindness and generosity was unsurpassed and she will always be remembered for her unwavering and unconditional love.

Her other greatest love was her friends. She loved spending time with her friends.  Lunch with the ladies, bus trips, Broadway shows and going to the opera were her favorites. She also had beautiful memories of the trips abroad with her husband Paul and their group of friends. 

When Valerie retired, she became an avid gardener.  Gardening was a favorite past time of hers.  She took a master gardeners course and became a master gardener. Her yard and garden were always stunning and beautifully kept. She took great pride in her gardening skills and it showed. 

Valerie also enjoyed reading.  A good book and a good cup of tea was a great relaxation for her. 

Valerie was also a Peer leader for healthy bones and a parishioner of St. Catherines of Sienna in Mountain Lakes for over 50 years. 

Valerie was a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. The radiant shine that followed her in life will follow her in death.  Her absence will forever leave a scar on the heart of all who knew and loved her.   She is and will be forever loved and forever missed.

A Memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday April 26, 2022, from 10:00AM to 10:45AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church 10 North Pocono Road Mt. Lakes, NJ 07046 followed by a Memorial Liturgy Funeral Mass at 11:00AM under the direction of Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital by way of inmemof.org.