Valerie Prancevic

Valerie Lynn Prancevic (Irwin)

October 30, 1958 - January 3, 2025

Santa Maria, CA - It 's with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Valerie Lynn Prancevic. However, we take joy and comfort that she is in heaven because she was the kindest, warmest, and most thoughtful person you were blessed to know.

Valerie was 66. She was the beloved daughter of James and Phyllis Irwin, born in Toledo, OH. She grew up in Santa Barbara, CA with her three siblings and countless friends, before moving to the Santa Maria Valley in the early 80's.

Valerie spent her career with Santa Barbara County in different positions, then retired after more than 25 years. Still not done with her service to her community, she spent an additional 12 years as a Federal Officer with the TSA at the Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara airports. She especially enjoyed her retirement as a published author to dozens of publications, her annual garden, testing and sharing new recipes, working on her daily crossword puzzle, volunteering with her church (St. Andrew United Methodist Church), traveling (especially to Cape Cod!), and being a grandmother to three sweet boys that affectionately call her Grandma Bal.

Her infectious humor (she loved good dad jokes) and kindness made a lasting impact on those around her. You were a cherished person in her life to receive gifts left on your doorstep, mailed care packages, or a never-missed birthday card. She was known for her unwavering generosity through her official volunteer roles, but beyond that she always made time to visit her friends in need or take notice when someone could use her joy.

She was a devoted wife to Rick Prancevic, with whom she shared more than 22 beautiful years of marriage. Together, they built our blended family, a life filled with so much love, shared hobbies, travel, many fur babies, and traditions with their families.

Valerie was a proud and dedicated mother to Andrew Jagoda, and lived to be the best den mother, team mom, and loudest cheerleader for him. She was also a loving stepmother to Matt, Ashley, and Kate, whom she adored, and they gave her the ultimate gift of being a grandmother. Each of you were her greatest joy.

She is survived by her husband Rick Prancevic; mother Phyllis Irwin; mother-in-law Kathleen Prancevic; siblings: Mark Irwin (Pam), Kim Erdahl (David), Kenny Irwin (Shannon); children: Andrew Jagoda (Victoria), Matt Prancevic, Kate Adle (Jim), and Ashley Prancevic (Gil); grandchildren: James, Noah, and Grant; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her father James Irwin and her father-in-law John Prancevic.

A celebration of Valerie Lynn Prancevic's life will be held at St. Andrews United Methodist church. Information and date to follow. Friends and family will be invited to gather to honor her memory and share stories of the love she so generously gave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Valerie's honor to St. Andrews United Methodist Church (3945 S Bradley Rd., Santa Maria CA 93455) or Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation (548 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria CA 93455).

Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched. Valerie will be deeply missed, but her loving spirit will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

In support of the family, you can participate in the meal train at the following link: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/876l71/

To share phots, videos, or other media with the family please upload to the following google drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GY0ImQb09p-js2kQdG2_PHHEYi5FJ7oi?usp=sharing