Valerie Rose Reinecke

Valerie Rose Reinecke, 71, passed away on September 28, 2026, just four days after celebrating her 71st birthday on September 24. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 24, 1955, Valerie lived a life that was brightened by the people she loved and, in turn, brightened the lives of nearly everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Valerie had a rare gift, she made every person feel special. She could meet a complete stranger and before long, they were a friend. She had a warmth and genuine interest in people that drew others to her wherever she went. Valerie brought sunshine with her, and somehow managed to leave a little behind everywhere she went.

While growing up Valerie spent time in Wyoming, Arizona, & Oregon with her parents and 3 older siblings. During her youth she was a jack of all trades, making big impacts everywhere she went. She loved helping in the farm field picking berries, placed 2nd in the state Shorthand competition in two consecutive years, and was crowned Prom Queen her senior year of High School. At the age of 19, she set off to blaze her own trail in the last Frontier, Alaska, by riding the Alcan Highway on a Harley Davidson. It wasn’t long after that many of her family members followed and made their homes in Alaska too. At 30, Valerie became a Mother and embodied the essence of Motherhood with so much grace and love. Wherever she was, home was ultimately about the people around her. She cherished the everyday moments spent with her family and friends, conversations, laughter, meals, visits, and simple days together that others might overlook but Valerie treasured.

Professionally, Valerie worked as a paralegal, bringing the same dedication and care to her work that she brought to the rest of her life. She worked as an intern in a law office during her senior year in high school, quickly proving her skills and quick wit were vital, she was requested to stay on as a permanent legal secretary at graduation. As she sought north for her future, she was one of the youngest paralegals in Anchorage early on, working for established lawyers for her entire career. She worked as a trusted paralegal until she retired from Allstate Staff Council in 2022.

No role brought Valerie more joy than being a grandmother. She was passionate about her six grandchildren and loved watching them grow, celebrating their accomplishments, attending every hockey game and volleyball match, sharing in their lives, and simply being their Nana. Her three daughters and their families were at the center of her world.

Valerie was also a woman who loved Jesus and being in service to others. She volunteered at her church every Sunday and loved being a part of that community. She also volunteered through many organizations, both formally and informally, and would be the first to organize a fundraiser for someone in need and always found a way to help someone before they even knew what they needed themselves. Not a single person who knew her doesn’t

have a special story of how she brought sunshine to their lives. The one thing she loved more than helping other humans, was being an animal lover, rescuer, and advocate. Every animal belonged to her in some way, even if she wasn’t their owner. She enjoyed walking the dogs, watching beautiful sunsets, sharing chips and salsa, and spending time with the people she loved. She found happiness in ordinary moments and had a way of making those moments feel anything but ordinary.

Valerie is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Jaad and Ricky McElroy; Haley and Roman Bylkov; Christina and Chris Hulquist; her six beloved grandchildren, Teyzin and Raynie McElroy; Zoya and Vika Bylkov; Emma and Olive Hulquist; her sisters, Kathy Reinecke and Pam Gregg. Valerie was married and divorced, but life had a way of creating lasting relationships that went far beyond titles. She remained especially close to Bob Glorioso who was not only her former husband but a best friend to the very end. She is also survived by her boyfriend Will Posillico, who shared such an important part of her life. He brought her great joy and companionship as they traveled to new places and made many memories that she cherished.

She was preceded in death by her parents Dan and Arlene Reinecke, and her older brother Michael Reinecke.

To know Valerie was to know kindness, laughter, warmth, and sunshine. She had an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, welcomed, and loved. She leaves behind not only the people who called her family, but countless friends and strangers who became friends because Valerie simply couldn’t help but connect with people.

And if Valerie were asked how she was doing today, we can almost certainly hear her answer:

“Just peachy.”

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and carried in the hearts of everyone lucky enough to have known her.

Valeries celebration of life will be Tuesday October 13th from 1-4 pm at the Hackett House, 95 W 4th st. in Tempe Arizona.