Valerie R. Burchill, 83 of Chili passed peacefully on February 27, 2017 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her children Jeffrey (Mary) Burchill, Beth Burchill & partner Tim Fingland, Mary-Lynn Burchill & partner Brian Ryder, sister Barbara Bassett of Cincinnati, brother-in-law Bob Jones of Henrietta and nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She is survived by her beloved cat, Sterling, along with five grand cats she adored.
Valerie was predeceased by her brother Charles Rogers, sister Virginia Jones, sister-in-law Rosalee Rogers and brother-in-law Paul Bassett.
Valerie was born to the late Harry and Fleda Rogers on June 3, 1933 in Rochester, NY. She graduated from Brighton High School in 1951. Valerie was a homemaker and worked at RIT until she retired. She enjoyed working as an election inspector for many years.
Throughout her life, Valerie was an active volunteer for Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels, JDRF walk at RIT, ushered for RBTL and the Eastman Theater.
Among other activities she enjoyed throughout her life were sewing children’s clothes, crafting, traveling with her daughters, attending movies, the local theater, Big Band concerts, couponing (she always loved getting a ‘freebie’), going to the casino and socializing with friends at various senior centers.
Fond memories of her include her sense of humor along with her telling you the way it was. She inspired & encouraged her children to be independent and adventurous. She was hospitable and accepting of others often showing her love through dishes she prepared often making a great pot of chili! The one show she couldn’t miss was Steve Harvey who made her laugh. She was a progressive woman in her thoughts and never left the
house without her lipstick on!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels through the Visiting Nurse Service at vnsnet.com in memory of Valerie.
Valerie’s Memorial Gathering will be held, May 20th, Noon – 3pm at J.W. Jones Hall in Caledonia. Food provided by caterer Rene Kuilman of Rene’s Cafe.
Beth,
I am so sorry about your mom. I know it can’t be easy for anyone in your family. She has given you a life time of memories to keep you until you meet again. I hope you find some comfort in that.
M
Beth,
I am so sorry about the loss of your mom. I know how close you were and how much she will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Beth, may the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you during this difficult time. I’m sorry for your loss.
John
Beth
Sorry for your loss and prayers to you and your family
Dan
Beth. I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family. Please let me know when the service is. God bless all of you.
Beth, I am very sorry for your loss. Please keep me informed of the Memorial service for your Mom.
Beth and Mary-Lynn,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. Its hard to lose family but if you remember all the good times, she’ll always be with you. Keep friends and family close at these times and it will help you get through this. You are in mine and my families thoughts.
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. I’ll remember her laugh forever. Love & hugs to you all!
Jeff, Beth and Mary-Lynn,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have so many memories from when we were growing up…she always made me laugh! I will be sure to let my mother know…they had many good times together!
Chris and Scott
Beth, so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeff, Beth and Mary-Lynn,
Valerie would be having a ball in heaven. I hear it’s full of freebies!
Love to all,
Heid and Jason
Hi Beth,
Sending love and light at this time for you. You was a special person and I’m sorry for your loss. I hope that you know you are very lucky to have such a caring Mom in your life that you’ve had. She had a great life and I hope that comforts you as you grieve. Much love,
Randy
Oh, what a shock! We are so very sorry to hear about your Mom! Hang on to each other, and remember the laughter and good times.
My favorite memory of Val was waiting in line for free tickets to a movie many years ago. We got the tickets after a long wait and went the next day. She packed her purse with food, wanted to get there really early to get a good seat, and then fell asleep 5 minutes into it :). Val was always good to me and was accepting of me even when I had a hard time accepting myself. The good news though is that she lives on so powerfully in my beautiful friend Mary-Lynn.
Dear Mary-Lynn, Beth and Jeff,
We are stunned. We hadn’t seen you at the Fall Supper as usual, so that should have been our first clue, but we missed it.
We share so many funny stories about our neighborhood within our family, and many have to do with your family and ours together. Do you remember: the path worn in the grass between our two houses? Beth hiding in the Red Bud trees? Mary-Lynn learning how to swim in our pool as a baby only months old? Jeff (whom Diane lovingly called “Jefe,” the boss) lifting weights until his muscles burst out of his t-shirt? The song, “Anbesol…?” Your mom leaning on our doorway, talking as our mom made dinner? and many more… Fond, fond memories all!
Jeff, Beth and Mary-Lynn,
Great tribute to your wonderful mother and my sister. We will all miss her so much! Thanks for being there with her the whole time. You are great kids and I know she loved you so very much. I love you all.
Dear Mary-Lynn & Beth (& Jeff though I don’t think we ever met):
Condolences to you all-and her sister Barbara. I first met Val standing in line for movie passes. I am a RPO volunteer as well-I did some mailings with her as well as other things. I am a RBTL (Aud) usher as well-though a different day. Your mom always knew what was going on with everyone. She would tell me about a RPO volunteer event when emails did not come through-she got the good old hard copy mailing! I last saw her with Mary-Lynn at Fringe Fest at Xerox. She was seeing her favorite act and taking a photo with them after the show. I thought I might see her on NY’S Eve at the JCC for their show-though that is a busy night to be on the road, it never stops Val! PS I do NOT like cats, so she always had to tell me what her cat was up to! I would make sure that she knew how cats would scare me at my inlaws,etc to give her a laugh and let her tell me that it was good for me to like the kittycat!!
Beth, I’m sorry for your loss. I went through that with the passing of my mom several years ago. It can be heartbreaking, but you have a friend here if you need anything. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will be keeping you and yours in my prayers.
~Mike
Dear Beth, Mary-Lynn and Jeff,
We are so sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Please accept our sympathy and know that we are thinking of you at this sad time.
Carol and David
Beth,
We are so sorry to hear about your mom. Our thoughts and prayers as well as those of the entire Gerbino family are with you.
Sal & Debi Gerbino
Rest in Peace, Valerie. I will always have fond memories of our family visiting your family out on Superior Rd., especially during winter when we all went tobaggoning out behind the house. Then, afterwards, Aunt Fleda would make us hot chocolate and feed us homemade apple pie. Those were great times!
Dear Beth, Mary-Lynn, and Jeff,
We extend our sincerest sympathies to you on the loss of your mom. We enjoyed growing up next to your family!
Barbara Stein Hellwig
Beth, We are so sorry about the loss of your Mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ARPALER
Assn. of Rochester Police & Area Law Enforcement Retirees