Valerie Derbyshire

Born in Manhattan, New York on February 14, 1941 to the late John and Gladys Martin, Valerie grew up in Bergen County where she graduated from Teaneck High School. She spent a portion of her childhood in Honesdale, Pennsylvania with her dear grandparents, Nicholas and Helen, who were very important to her and played a pivotal role in her early life. Valerie continued her education at the New York City College of Technology (CUNY) in Brooklyn, where she lived on her own with her canine companion, a husky named Druki. She led an active lifestyle and enjoyed skiing.

After graduating from college Valerie worked on Wall Street for some time, but ultimately found her passion in helping others as a Registered Nurse. Valerie was briefly married to her first husband, Robert Brown, with whom she took flying lessons and flew planes.

Valerie would meet the love of her life, Richard T. Derbyshire, at Frank and Edna’s Bar on Flatbush Avenue in 1976. By January of 1977 they were married and would devote the next 43 years together before Richard’s passing in July of 2020.

Valerie’s career as an RN led her to provide care in many different work environments, including Brookdale Hospital’s Emergency Room, Stillwater School, Lane Robbins Camp, St. Clare’s ICU, and various nursing homes.

Valerie was a very devout member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Church in Swartswood, and she also would occasionally attend St Joseph Church in Newton. Her faith was very important to her and she prioritized charitable giving to support underserved communities.

In her spare time Valerie enjoyed baking and was quite skilled at creating delicacies. She even started her own small business called the “Confection Connection.” She was an avid reader and especially loved murder mystery novels. Valerie always had a remarkable green thumb and found great joy in cultivating her garden. Above all, Valerie adored her twin children Nancy and Richard.

A genuinely spunky Aquarius at heart, Valerie will be greatly missed.

Valerie is survived by her twin children, daughter Nancy Derbyshire (Paul DiGasbarro), and her son Richard Derbyshire (Sylwia Leczycka); her grandsons Tony DiGasbarro and Alexander Derbyshire; her brother Robert Martin; her niece Kristin Gruberg; and her dear friends Bill Arnott, Maryann Condit, and Dan Salvatore.

A Funeral Mass for Valerie will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 12:45 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt Carmel RC Church, 203 Swartswood Rd, Newton, NJ 07860. Committal Service will follow at 2:15 p.m. at Stillwater Cemetery, 930 Maple Ave, Newton, NJ 07860.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Our Lady of Mt Carmel RC Church.

Condolences to the family may be offered online at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com