Florence L. Valasek

1918 - 2018

Florence L. (Stanko) Valasek, saying that "100 is too old!" passed away Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, three days shy of her 100th birthday. Born in Fayette City, Pa., the daughter of Stephen and Anna (Beckadic) Stanko, Florence spent most of her life in Arnold and New Kensington. She was the wife of the late Cyril J. "Cy" Valasek; loving mother of Robert L. (Kathleen McHale) Valasek, of Upper St. Clair; grandmother of Robert M. (Amy) and Patrick L. (Lisa) Valasek; great-grandmother of Sarah, Emily, George and Martin Valasek; and sister of Frances Kupcik, of Scottsdale, Ariz. Florence was also preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Meszar, Anna Mae Hardy and Dorothy Koval. In her younger years, Florence traveled to New York City and Chicago with the Sokols to compete in gymnastics events. In 1944, she married Cy, who was also a Sokol gymnast and a well-known basketball player from Ford City. During World War II, they were stationed in Abilene, Texas and Durham, N.C., before returning to New Kensington, where Florence was the office manager at Hart's Department Store for many years. For the last three and a half years, she was a resident of the Baptist Homes in Mt. Lebanon, and the family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful care and love the staff gave Florence.
At Florence's request, there will be no public visitation and services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Homeless Children's Education Fund, 1901 Centre Ave., Suite 301, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (www.homelessfund.org). laughlinfuneralhome.com.