Valerie Berdan, beloved Queen, mum and best friend, died peacefully at home on the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Queen of England. She was surrounded by her family, loved ones, wonderful memories and devoted caregivers.
Valerie came to the United States in 1963 alongside the British Invasion, with the intention of working for six months in San Francisco. Two years later, she met her husband and in 1966 they married; first in Reno (naughty elopement) and then in Sausalito (legitimate ceremony). After their son was born in San Francisco, they moved east where their daughter was born. While the children were in school, Valerie had various part time jobs, including teaching tap and aerobic dance, but her passions were coaching her son's soccer team (leading them to several championships) and supporting her daughter's ballet career. The highlights of her life were the weddings of her two children, the birth of her grandchildren and of her step-grandchildren!
An avid social butterfly, she often left her husband on the couch while she attended Madonna concerts, met Duran Duran backstage, tap-danced on the National Mall, and in her last months, even attended a PINK concert. For many years she was a seat filler at the Oscars; front and center with stars like Anthony Hopkins, John Travolta, Tom Hanks and Sharon Stone. She loved to entertain and hosted glorious parties every year for the holidays, the Oscars, and to celebrate the summer. Even as her battle with ALS was in the later stages, the house was always full of friends, family, and amazing caregivers; eating, drinking (wine with "Thick-It" for Val!), and enjoying life. ALS tried to slow her down, but with help from the ALS Association, Valerie was able to continue doing many of the things she loved.
She lived her life fabulously and fully, fiercely battling ALS until the very end. Her family is forever indebted to the ALS Association for their kindness, support, advice, and generosity.
She is survived by her brother and his wife, her son & daughter and their spouses, and 4 grandchildren.
Published in The Washington Post on June 5, 2013
Valerie came to the United States in 1963 alongside the British Invasion, with the intention of working for six months in San Francisco. Two years later, she met her husband and in 1966 they married; first in Reno (naughty elopement) and then in Sausalito (legitimate ceremony). After their son was born in San Francisco, they moved east where their daughter was born. While the children were in school, Valerie had various part time jobs, including teaching tap and aerobic dance, but her passions were coaching her son's soccer team (leading them to several championships) and supporting her daughter's ballet career. The highlights of her life were the weddings of her two children, the birth of her grandchildren and of her step-grandchildren!
An avid social butterfly, she often left her husband on the couch while she attended Madonna concerts, met Duran Duran backstage, tap-danced on the National Mall, and in her last months, even attended a PINK concert. For many years she was a seat filler at the Oscars; front and center with stars like Anthony Hopkins, John Travolta, Tom Hanks and Sharon Stone. She loved to entertain and hosted glorious parties every year for the holidays, the Oscars, and to celebrate the summer. Even as her battle with ALS was in the later stages, the house was always full of friends, family, and amazing caregivers; eating, drinking (wine with "Thick-It" for Val!), and enjoying life. ALS tried to slow her down, but with help from the ALS Association, Valerie was able to continue doing many of the things she loved.
She lived her life fabulously and fully, fiercely battling ALS until the very end. Her family is forever indebted to the ALS Association for their kindness, support, advice, and generosity.
She is survived by her brother and his wife, her son & daughter and their spouses, and 4 grandchildren.
Published in The Washington Post on June 5, 2013
Valerie Berdan, beloved Queen, mum and best friend, died peacefully at home on the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Queen of England. She was surrounded by her family, loved ones, wonderful memories and devoted caregivers.
Valerie came to the United States in 1963 alongside the British Invasion, with the intention of working for six months in San Francisco. Two years later, she met her husband and in 1966 they married; first in Reno (naughty elopement) and then in Sausalito (legitimate ceremony). After their son was born in San Francisco, they moved east where their daughter was born. While the children were in school, Valerie had various part time jobs, including teaching tap and aerobic dance, but her passions were coaching her son's soccer team (leading them to several championships) and supporting her daughter's ballet career. The highlights of her life were the weddings of her two children, the birth of her grandchildren and of her step-grandchildren!
An avid social butterfly, she often left her husband on the couch while she attended Madonna concerts, met Duran Duran backstage, tap-danced on the National Mall, and in her last months, even attended a PINK concert. For many years she was a seat filler at the Oscars; front and center with stars like Anthony Hopkins, John Travolta, Tom Hanks and Sharon Stone. She loved to entertain and hosted glorious parties every year for the holidays, the Oscars, and to celebrate the summer. Even as her battle with ALS was in the later stages, the house was always full of friends, family, and amazing caregivers; eating, drinking (wine with "Thick-It" for Val!), and enjoying life. ALS tried to slow her down, but with help from the ALS Association, Valerie was able to continue doing many of the things she loved.
She lived her life fabulously and fully, fiercely battling ALS until the very end. Her family is forever indebted to the ALS Association for their kindness, support, advice, and generosity.
She is survived by her brother and his wife, her son & daughter and their spouses, and 4 grandchildren.
Published in The Washington Post on June 5, 2013
Valerie came to the United States in 1963 alongside the British Invasion, with the intention of working for six months in San Francisco. Two years later, she met her husband and in 1966 they married; first in Reno (naughty elopement) and then in Sausalito (legitimate ceremony). After their son was born in San Francisco, they moved east where their daughter was born. While the children were in school, Valerie had various part time jobs, including teaching tap and aerobic dance, but her passions were coaching her son's soccer team (leading them to several championships) and supporting her daughter's ballet career. The highlights of her life were the weddings of her two children, the birth of her grandchildren and of her step-grandchildren!
An avid social butterfly, she often left her husband on the couch while she attended Madonna concerts, met Duran Duran backstage, tap-danced on the National Mall, and in her last months, even attended a PINK concert. For many years she was a seat filler at the Oscars; front and center with stars like Anthony Hopkins, John Travolta, Tom Hanks and Sharon Stone. She loved to entertain and hosted glorious parties every year for the holidays, the Oscars, and to celebrate the summer. Even as her battle with ALS was in the later stages, the house was always full of friends, family, and amazing caregivers; eating, drinking (wine with "Thick-It" for Val!), and enjoying life. ALS tried to slow her down, but with help from the ALS Association, Valerie was able to continue doing many of the things she loved.
She lived her life fabulously and fully, fiercely battling ALS until the very end. Her family is forever indebted to the ALS Association for their kindness, support, advice, and generosity.
She is survived by her brother and his wife, her son & daughter and their spouses, and 4 grandchildren.
Published in The Washington Post on June 5, 2013
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