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Valerie Kirnan Sakelakos
Valerie Kirnan Sakelakos
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Valerie was born in Potsdam, New York on March 22, 1944 to the daughter of the late Viola Patricia Gowen Kirnan and Earl Robert Kirnan. She was preceded in death by her first husband Dexter Allen Stewart, "Deck", and her only sister Roberta Elaine Blackmer, "Bert".
Valerie is survived in death by her daughter Sarah Elizabeth Stewart Vonharten, Sarah's husband Raymond Alan Vonharten and their twin sons Joshua Kirnan Vonharten and Jacob Butler Vonharten of Alexandria Virginia. Valerie is also survived by her stepdaughter Cheryl Marie Sakelakos of Jacksonville Florida.
Valerie spent her life within the profession of advocacy for women's and children's health. She was a woman of strong faith and never met a stranger nor someone she would not stop and pray with or offer help. She spent her retirement baking and cooking for many and loved to brag and share stories about her daughter and her grandchildren. As a child survivor of polio she overcame many illnesses in her life and continued to fight to live a good life. In the end, the "long goodbye" took her to heaven to be with God.
A memorial service will be December 14, 2024 at 10am at Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22308. A small reception will be at the church for all to attend. The live stream is https://www.youtube.com/live/pvmYrvW2JYY?si=ff4nE49HZjgg-oM3. Those interested in sending flowers to the church can do so with The Virginia Florist 703-765-3355 https://g.co/kgs/h9PzdQD.
In remembrance of Valerie's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to The Special Olympics due to her unconditional love and passion for all people https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/donate. There is an online obituary and condolences book at https://www.directcremationservicesofvirginia.com/obituaries/Valerie-K-Sakelakos?obId=33918008 for those interested. The mom, the grandma, the friend will be missed here on earth.
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