Norma Jean Valdes

Norma Jean Valdes, 86, of Huntington, W.Va., passed away peacefully Friday, April 27, 2018, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, April 30 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 2491 James River Turnpike, Ona, W.Va. Jean, as she was known to family and friends, was born April 10, 1932, in Huntington, W.Va., a daughter of the late Joseph and Geraldine Wilkes Valdes. She was a 1950 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School in Huntington. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. She entered the order of the Pallottine Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate and spent 40 years in community with the Sisters. Many of those years were at the Pallottine Convent in Florissant, Mo., where Jean helped run the retreat house. She later joined the Pallottine Convent in Laurel, Md., where she taught chemistry and religious studies at St. Vincent Pallotti High School. In 1992, Jean returned to Huntington to be close to family and friends, put her pharmacy degree to work, and settled into a productive and fulfilling “second act.” She retired in 2003 as a pharmacist with Kroger. Throughout her remaining years, Jean remained deeply committed to her spiritual life. She was an active parishioner of St. Stephen Catholic Church, where she was a choir member. Jean had a great zest for life, a generous heart, and a playful spirit. She loved the arts, especially music and theater – never missing a broadcast of the Tony Awards or the Kennedy Center Honors, and she was well-versed on current events. A devout animal lover, she had many loving pets through the years. Miz Blue and Jake will miss her dearly. Jean relished time spent with family and friends over a good meal or a lively conversation. Jean was preceded in death by two sisters, Carolyn Evans and Geraldine Rauch, and two brothers, the Rev. Fr. Bert Valdes and Joseph “Bud” Valdes. Her survivors include Marge Kaib, with whom Jean shared a devoted lifelong friendship, as well as a home for 26 years; a sister, Carmen Fossell; members of the Kaib family; and many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and fellow parishioners. Visitation will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, April 30, 2018, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Burial rites will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington. The family thanks the staff of the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House for their compassionate care and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington, the Pallottine Missionary Sisters retirement fund or St. Stephen Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfh.com.