(Legal name at the time of her death: Valera Ann Duynslager.)
Valera Ann Gasparovic, a fiercely loving mother, devoted grandmother, and unforgettable presence, passed away at home in Flushing, Michigan, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at the age of 59. She was surrounded by family and passed peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer.
Valera was born on April 8, 1961, in Owosso, Michigan. She grew up in Corunna, Michigan, where she formed lifelong roots and connections before later making her home in Flushing, where she spent most of her adult life.
She was a graduate of Corunna High School. Later in life, she went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Mott Community College, an accomplishment she was deeply proud of. Valera worked in a variety of roles throughout her life, including at the Speakeasy, a restaurant owned by her sister MaryAnna Bonardelli and brother-in-law Johnny Bonardelli, and later at General Motors. No matter where she worked, she was a hardworking and spirited presence whose warmth, humor, and openness kept coworkers smiling and on their toes.
Above all else, Valera was family. She was a devoted mother to her daughters, Jill and Jennifer, and a deeply involved and loving grandmother to Evyn, Trever, and Lydia. Her grandkids were the center of her world. She helped raise them by shaping their lives through her constant presence, guidance, and unconditional love. Valera’s influence on her grandchildren will continue to echo through their lives for generations.
Valera found joy in simple, meaningful moments: sharing ice cream with family, spending time at the park, watching movies together, and just being present with the people she loved. She had an infectious smile, a quick laugh, and a rare ability to make people feel genuinely cared for. She gave freely of herself and never gave up, even in the face of hardships.
To those who knew her best, Valera was strong in ways that
mattered. She was resilient, compassionate, and unapologetically herself. She did not seek attention or praise, yet her presence left a lasting mark. She was, simply put, one of a kind.
Valera was preceded in death by her parents, Emerick and Mildred (Lovisik) Gasparovic and her brother, Emerick Gasparovic.
She was survived by her daughters, Jill Heaton and Jennifer Heaton; her grandchildren, Evyn Widner, Trever Widner, and Lydia Noffsinger; her sister, MaryAnna (John) Bonardelli; her brother, Michael (Stacey) Gasparovic; her sister-in-law, Debrah Gasparovic, widow of Emerick Gasparovic; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members who loved her dearly.
A small Celebration of Life was held by the family, honoring Valera in a way that reflected her love of family and togetherness.
Though no words can fully capture who she was, Valera Ann Gasparovic will always be remembered for her strength, love, and quiet fierceness. She was a presence that mattered and a grandmother who gave her whole heart. To those who loved her most, she was the most badass woman they ever knew.
Valera Ann Gasparovic, a fiercely loving mother, devoted grandmother, and unforgettable presence, passed away at home in Flushing, Michigan, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at the age of 59. She was surrounded by family and passed peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer.
Valera was born on April 8, 1961, in Owosso, Michigan. She grew up in Corunna, Michigan, where she formed lifelong roots and connections before later making her home in Flushing, where she spent most of her adult life.
She was a graduate of Corunna High School. Later in life, she went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Mott Community College, an accomplishment she was deeply proud of. Valera worked in a variety of roles throughout her life, including at the Speakeasy, a restaurant owned by her sister MaryAnna Bonardelli and brother-in-law Johnny Bonardelli, and later at General Motors. No matter where she worked, she was a hardworking and spirited presence whose warmth, humor, and openness kept coworkers smiling and on their toes.
Above all else, Valera was family. She was a devoted mother to her daughters, Jill and Jennifer, and a deeply involved and loving grandmother to Evyn, Trever, and Lydia. Her grandkids were the center of her world. She helped raise them by shaping their lives through her constant presence, guidance, and unconditional love. Valera’s influence on her grandchildren will continue to echo through their lives for generations.
Valera found joy in simple, meaningful moments: sharing ice cream with family, spending time at the park, watching movies together, and just being present with the people she loved. She had an infectious smile, a quick laugh, and a rare ability to make people feel genuinely cared for. She gave freely of herself and never gave up, even in the face of hardships.
To those who knew her best, Valera was strong in ways that
mattered. She was resilient, compassionate, and unapologetically herself. She did not seek attention or praise, yet her presence left a lasting mark. She was, simply put, one of a kind.
Valera was preceded in death by her parents, Emerick and Mildred (Lovisik) Gasparovic and her brother, Emerick Gasparovic.
She was survived by her daughters, Jill Heaton and Jennifer Heaton; her grandchildren, Evyn Widner, Trever Widner, and Lydia Noffsinger; her sister, MaryAnna (John) Bonardelli; her brother, Michael (Stacey) Gasparovic; her sister-in-law, Debrah Gasparovic, widow of Emerick Gasparovic; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members who loved her dearly.
A small Celebration of Life was held by the family, honoring Valera in a way that reflected her love of family and togetherness.
Though no words can fully capture who she was, Valera Ann Gasparovic will always be remembered for her strength, love, and quiet fierceness. She was a presence that mattered and a grandmother who gave her whole heart. To those who loved her most, she was the most badass woman they ever knew.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Valera Ann Gasparovic, please visit our flower store.
Valera Ann Gasparovic's Guestbook
Visits: 6
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors