Valerie McKenzie

McKENZIE, VALERIE (Driskell) (Age 82)

Lost her short battle with cancer with grace and dignity on October 31, 2005 and has gone on to be with the Lord and her husband and family. Born June 2, 1923 to the late Katherine and Peter Baczek, she was the last of nine children, four brothers and four sisters. She is survived by one son, Robert Wayne Driskell and his wife Susan of Chesapeake and one stepdaughter, Marilyn Kouma of Omaha, NE; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Lynn R. McKenzie; step-daughter Merle Nustase; sisters, Nellie Wick, Mary Lambrect, Julie Krbavac and Dorothy Shoemaker; brothers, Joseph, Steven, Stanley and Walter Baczek.

She graduated from Irvington New Jersey High School. During World War II, she started working for the Associated Press (AP) in Washington, DC as one of the first female wirephoto technicians. One night she was told to stay late in order to receive and develop an important photo from overseas. It was the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. She was also tasked with developing the first holocaust pictures for the army. She met many celebrities while working for the AP. While with the AP she worked at various newspapers. The Omaha World Herald is where she met her husband, Lynn R. McKenzie. She worked at the Newark Star Ledger, The New York Journal American and other NJ and NY area newspapers. She then transferred to the Washington, DC AP office until her retirement. She resided in Alexandria, VA. Eventually moving to Chesapeake to live with her son and daughter-in-law. She was a compassionate and caring woman who lived a full and interesting life.

A funeral will be held at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union, NJ on Thursday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com