Valerie Robey, passed away June 29, 2021, in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She was in born in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents, Melba and Howard Davies on May 1, 1932, the oldest of four daughters. The family moved to Syracuse, New York, during her high school years. Valerie earned a degree in physical education from Cortland State Teachers College in New York. In 1955 she married William Mueller Robey in Dewitt, New York. Val and Bill moved to many different states for his job, and Val also worked as a PE teacher while raising twin sons and a daughter. She created a brand new physical education program at New Prague Elementary School in Minnesota.
Val learned sewing from her mom when she was young. She went on to tailor her own clothing and produced amazing quilts. She also sewed outdoor gear for her sons, including backpacking tents (designed by her son Tom). She passed her sewing talents to her daughter Sue. Val gifted her grandchildren with hand-pleated, hand-smocked outfits and quilts that could be folded into pillows, as well as creating some lovely needlepoint pieces, a skill which she taught her granddaughter Rachel. After Bill retired, he and Val moved from Houston to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where they enjoyed walking the local paths, golfing, playing cards, lake kayaking, fishing from their pontoon boat, as was well as going on elder hostel trips. They were active members of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church, and enjoyed participating in the Shepherd Groups. Val also served on the altar guild for many years. They also relished hosting family for visits at their retirement home on Lake Rayburn and taking them on day trips to show off nearby parks and attractions. When it was time to downsize, they moved to Concordia Retirement Community, where they enjoyed the community activities and outings. Val was a faithful caregiver to Bill as his dementia progressed, moving with him to more supportive care facilities until his passing, after which she returned to live at Concordia. In November of 2020, as her own health declined, Val moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico. She lived with her son and daughter-in- law, Peggy and Bob, in their accessible mother-in-law suite, near to her other son Tom in Santa Fe. Val was able to enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals, family company and support, working puzzles, and reading books from the local library. Her family was able to be with her to celebrate her 89th birthday, and they were present at her bedside at her passing. She will be remembered for her dry sense of humor, and her creative gifts of time and talents.
Valerie was predeceased by her husband of 63 years Bill; her daughter, Sue Henry; and her sister, Jill. Survivors include sisters, Sandy and Lynn; twin sons, Bob (Peggy) and Tom Robey. She had five grandchildren and a great-grandson. A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m., on May 28, 2022, at St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Published May 21, 2022