Valerie Rosemunde Mendez

1947 - 2010

April 18, 1947 - March 15, 2010
Valerie passed away on Monday, March 15, 2010 at Saint John's Memorial Hospital in Santa Monica, CA. She was 62 years old. Born at Patusken Naval Air Station, Maryland on April 18, 1947, her family relocated to Belmont Shore California where she spent her childhood years. She was a graduate of Saint Anthony's High School and Loyola Marymount University. Shortly after college she met her future husband, Dr. Robert Mendez. They married on April 7th, 1972. Their first child, Danielle was born in 1976, followed by her son, Rob in 1977. In 1981 they had their final child, Alexandra. She spent the last thirty-two years as a resident of Pacific Palisades. Always generous in spirit and heart, Valerie enriched the lives of her friends and family. She dedicated her time and energy to many wonderful organizations and causes, including her local parish Corpus Christi. She was the best mother one could ever imagine, the most loving and adoring wife, a fantastic grandmother to her three grandchildren, Dylan, Sasha, and Jasper. She was a loving sister, and friend, as well as a well-respected artist, with unique pieces that can be seen at Bergamot Station and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Valerie is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert Mendez; daughters, Danielle Mendez, Alexandra Clark and her husband, Christopher; son, Robert and his wife, Clary; grandchildren, Dylan, Sasha and Jasper; her father, Victor Nielsen; step-father, Herb Geopforth; step-mother, Mary-Lou Nielsen; sister, Suzanne Geopforth; and brother, David Geopforth. Services will be held on Monday, March 22nd, at 11am at Corpus Christi Church. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be sent to The Mendez Family Charitable Foundation, care of Cramer and Tynan, LLP, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.