Born on Sunday, December 6, 1925, Waleria was the eighth child of nine born to Anna (Danczak) and Tomasz Siwulec in The Bronx, New York. Her name was anglicized and became Valerie when she attended public school, taking trade classes in hairstyling, photography, and a general business curriculum. She and one of her sisters enjoyed taking dance classes to learn traditional Polish dances.
Valerie worked at the Bulova Timepieces Company, where she worked her way through several divisions and found their gyroscope/military equipment section during World War II to be the most rewarding. She also worked as a bookkeeper at McKesson Liquors. She lived and worked in Manhattan and The Bronx almost her whole life.
In 1948, Valerie married Nicholas Peter Linkowitz (‘Big Nick”), who called her Theresa and their only child, “Little Nicky” was born on May 4, 1952. Valerie was family-oriented, always sending cards, notes, and sometimes gifts to her siblings and their families on holidays and special occasions. She enjoyed being creative and traveling with her best friend Eleanor. But most important to her was her son Nicky.
She was inflexible, analytical, impatient, strong-willed, and unwilling to disguise her feelings. But she was also brutally honest, faithful, dependable, and self-reliant. She loved her Baileys Irish Cream, adored her grandchildren, and was fiercely protective of tradition.
Special thanks to all those who helped her and her family at Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center, especially Jill, Mary, Lauraine and Tammy, as well as the Pet Therapy volunteers who visited with her favorite black Newfoundland dog, and the countless staff and volunteers who gave her comfort and empathy during her final years.
Valerie is predeceased by her mother Anna (Danczak) and father Tomasz Siwulec; her brothers Frank, Phil, Stanly, Louie, and Charlie; her sisters Jennie, Helen, and Pauline; her husband Nicholas; and her son Nicholas and daughter-in-law Patricia. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Alberta Ellison and her children Benjamin and Spencer and his wife Jennifer; her granddaughter Suzanne (Rohler) and her husband Matt, and their daughter, Grace; her grandson John and his wife Jamie, and their daughters Olivia and Quinlin; and her grandson Jim and his wife Jamie, and their children, Britlin and Benson.
A private memorial will be planned for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Valerie’s honor to Easter Seals.
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