Dorothy E. VanValkenburg

1924 - 2017

Dorothy E. (Rej) VanValkenburg 1924 - 2017
Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother
ILION/HERKIMER- Mrs. Dorothy E. (Rej) VanValkenburg, 93, of Herkimer, formerly of Ilion, widow of William F. VanValkenburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, November 30, 2017 at Folts Homes, Herkimer.
She was born on April 29, 1924, in Jersey City, NJ, daughter of the late John and Frances (Pietkewicz) Rej and educated in Herkimer schools. On April 27, 1946, she was united in marriage with William F. VanValkenburg, in Herkimer; a loving and blessed marriage of 38 years, until the passing of Mr. VanValkenburg in October of 1984. Dorothy and her husband were the owners of the former Van's Food Land, in Ilion for many years. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and a faithful communicant of St. Francis de Sales Church, Herkimer. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing a game of cards and enjoyed volunteering her time at Folts Homes in Herkimer. Dorothy was fulfilled and grateful to be a loving mom, a good wife and a wonderful grandmother, who enjoyed nothing more than having all of her loved ones together. These were the relationships that made her life complete.
She will be sadly missed by her loving family; her children, Thomas J. VanValkenburg and wife, Bernadette, of Sherrill, Gregory W. VanValkenburg and wife, Kathy, of Frankfort and Janet Berry and husband, Tom, of W. Columbia, TX; a brother, John T. Rej and wife, Marilyn, of Columbia, SC; her cherished grandchildren, Lisa King and Rich, Kristen VanValkenburg, James VanValkenburg and Holly, Kevin Berry and Angela, Kelly Gressell and Steve, Kathryn Erickson and Ian, Leah Wessinger and Ethan, Molly Berry, Brett VanValkenburg and Alison. She is also survived by nine adored great-grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Daniel J. Enea Funeral and Cremation Care, 5860 State Route 5 (near St. Mary's Cemetery), between Herkimer and Little Falls (315) 508-5250, on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 1-3 p.m. Mrs. VanValkenburg's funeral will commence at 9:15 a.m., on Monday, December 4, from the chapel of Dan Enea's funeral home location where transfer prayer will be offered, thence to St. Francis de Sales Church, 219 N. Bellinger St., Herkimer, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Mark Cunnigham, pastor, at 10 a.m. Procession will follow to Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, where she will be laid to rest.
Kindly consider sending memorial offerings in Mrs. VanValkenburg's name, to St. Francis de Sales School, 220 Henry St., Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
The family wishes to thank Dorothy's friends at Galinsky Apts. and the Folts Home staff, for their kindness and compassion.
To offer online messages of sympathy, go to www.danieleneafuneralhome.com.