1954
Valerie
2023
Valerie Elizabeth Pendas
November 7, 1954 — May 31, 2023
It is with sorrow that we share that Valerie Elizabeth Pendas, age 68, died on May 31, 2023 at Albany Medical Center after her health declined due to dementia.
Valerie was born on November 7, 1954 in Jacksonville, North Carolina and was institutionalized immediately due to her disability as was somewhat customary at that time. Valerie remained institutionalized until 1975 when she moved into the Family Care Program operated by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Over the years she lived with at least 4 different families who welcomed her into their home as a member of their family. Valerie loved family life, especially when there were young children in the home. Valerie loved birthdays, not just hers, and absolutely adored Santa. Some of her other favorite things were time with family and friends, church, eating out, camping, music, dancing, cheering, beads and yarn.
Valerie became a member of the Cobleskill United Methodist Church in 2016. She loved to attend and very much enjoyed the music, sometimes unexpectedly joining the choir or other musical group in their performance. She was embraced by the congregation and she cherished the friendships she made there. She received day supports from Schoharie ARC (now Lexington) for many years where she had many friends and is greatly missed.
Valerie was a joyful person, full of enthusiasm that was contagious to those around her. She did not let anything keep her down for long, she was always determined to be happy.
Valerie is survived by the family who loved her deeply and cared for her in her final years, Denise, Zackary and Alexander Smith of Seward NY.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 17, 2023 at 1pm at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, 107 Chapel St., Cobleskill with burial to follow at the Slate Hill Cemetery as well as a reception at the church. Pastor Anna Blinn Cole will officiate the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Valerie’s life.
Valerie’s family would like to thank the staff at the Van Aernum home who cared for her after her needs became too great to remain at home in January 2023.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.
Valerie was born on November 7, 1954 in Jacksonville, North Carolina and was institutionalized immediately due to her disability as was somewhat customary at that time. Valerie remained institutionalized until 1975 when she moved into the Family Care Program operated by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Over the years she lived with at least 4 different families who welcomed her into their home as a member of their family. Valerie loved family life, especially when there were young children in the home. Valerie loved birthdays, not just hers, and absolutely adored Santa. Some of her other favorite things were time with family and friends, church, eating out, camping, music, dancing, cheering, beads and yarn.
Valerie became a member of the Cobleskill United Methodist Church in 2016. She loved to attend and very much enjoyed the music, sometimes unexpectedly joining the choir or other musical group in their performance. She was embraced by the congregation and she cherished the friendships she made there. She received day supports from Schoharie ARC (now Lexington) for many years where she had many friends and is greatly missed.
Valerie was a joyful person, full of enthusiasm that was contagious to those around her. She did not let anything keep her down for long, she was always determined to be happy.
Valerie is survived by the family who loved her deeply and cared for her in her final years, Denise, Zackary and Alexander Smith of Seward NY.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 17, 2023 at 1pm at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, 107 Chapel St., Cobleskill with burial to follow at the Slate Hill Cemetery as well as a reception at the church. Pastor Anna Blinn Cole will officiate the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Valerie’s life.
Valerie’s family would like to thank the staff at the Van Aernum home who cared for her after her needs became too great to remain at home in January 2023.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Valerie Elizabeth Pendas, please visit our flower store.
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