Veronica Mae Valdez

Veronica Valdez of Durango died Monday, January 17, 2011 at Mercy Regional Medical Center due to complications from cancer. She was 60. Veronica was born January 2, 1951 in Standardville, UT. The family later relocated to Durango where she was raised and lived the remainder of her life. At the age of 18 months she was diagnosed with polio and subsequently faced a variety of health complications throughout her life. Although her spirit was held captive in a body that limited the things she could do, it soared none the less. Ronnie devoted her life to a profession she clearly loved by working at the Durango Public Library for over 36 years. She had a great love for the old library located on East Second Avenue. She helped all those that came seeking knowledge; whether for school, work or recreation. Those that knew her saw the courage and strength she faced life with and often spoke of her grace and unique, sometimes twisted sense of humor. She was recently honored by the City of Durango as the 2010 Employee of the Year. She had a love of words and what they could inspire and achieve. She also loved the ideals and image of the classic working cowboy and held great respect and admiration for the courage of our military and law enforcement. She is survived by her sisters Christina Valdez, Lucy Schiltuis and Susan Sage, nieces Brittany Valdez and Jen Maxon, nephews Paul Krueger, Zachary Krueger and Caden Krueger and her beloved pitbull son, Trooper, all of Durango. Cremation has occurred. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 29, at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango. Following the mass a reception will be held at the Durango Public Library. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following organizations: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105; La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 S. Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO, 81303; Annie's Orphans, 1630 CR 214, Durango, CO, 81303.