Valerie C. Stoltzfus, 70
April 20, 2024
Valerie C. Stoltzfus, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and dedicated educator, passed away on April 20, 2024, at the age of 70, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Born in Los Angeles, CA, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Patricia (Finton) Loya.
Valerie’s life was one of love, perseverance, and service. She met the love of her life, Elmer S. Stoltzfus, at East Los Angeles College. They married on June 28, 1975, and shared a lifelong journey. Together, they raised a family and built a home filled with love and laughter.
After dedicating herself to bringing up her family, Valerie pursued her academic aspirations, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Millersville University and a Master’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University. Her passion for education led her to a fulfilling career as a special education consultant for the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU13), where she touched the lives of countless special needs children. Valerie’s dedication to her work was exemplary. She retired in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and commitment.
Valerie was a devoted member of Calvary Church, where her beautiful singing voice enriched the choir. She found solace and joy in music, reading, dancing, and the serenity of the beach. Despite facing health challenges, including a diagnosis of Lupus at a young age and two kidney transplants, Valerie approached life with resilience and grace, inspiring all who knew her.
Valerie will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her husband, Elmer Stoltzfus; her children, Kathleen Henderson (wife of Greg) of Leesburg, VA and Phillip Stoltzfus (husband of Betsy) of Philadelphia; her five cherished grandchildren; her siblings, Barry Apodaca, Brian Apodaca (husband of Tillie), and Deirdre Pasky (wife of Kevin), all of California. She is preceded in death by her brother, Jamie Loya, and sister, Gina Rodriguez.
Valerie’s legacy of love, kindness, and resilience will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. In lieu of flowers, and according to her wishes, the family requests that donations be made to North Star Initiative, northstarinitiative.org/donate, in honor of Valerie’s memory.
A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at 3:30pm on Wednesday, May 15 at Calvary Church in Lancaster. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
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April 26, 2024
Dear Mr. Stoltzfus and family:
I was genuinely crushed to read that Valerie had passed away. We went to elementary school together at St. Thomas More School in Alhambra. I did not go to Alhambra High with her, but our mutual friend, Mike Thomas, did, and he remembered his close connection with her in high school and was extremely sad to hear of Valerie’s passing. We had been planning a STM reunion for our 70th year of life (and 56th since we graduated from STM in 1968). I had tracked down Valerie on Facebook and had sent her a couple of messages on FB Messenger. I really didn’t expect her to come all the way from Pennsylvania, but I did want to connect her with the class, When I didn’t hear back, I thought perhaps she just didn’t get the messages. I also briefly thought it was the wrong Valerie Loya until I saw her wedding photo-she looked exactly as she did in 8th grade. Little did I know that health struggles were the explanation for her silence. Valerie always seemed to me vivacious and an exceptionally happy and bubbly person. Valerie was always smart, and it didn’t surprise me to read that she got a graduate degree and was in special ed. The obituary mentions her two kidney transplants. I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that her illness did not change her essential character. She was a treasure, and I’m sure that while you don’t feel particularly fortunate right now, you were a lucky man to have married Valerie and to have raised a family with her. This is true even though your time together was far too short. I have not shared the news with all my classmates yet, but I know I would be speaking for all of them that the world is a better place and we are better people for having had a connection with Valerie. If God and his angels were prepared to welcome anyone, it would be Valerie. Valerie and I shared a heritage from Spain that years ago we were rather jokingly proud of in a school full of Italians and Irish. Though neither of us spoke Spanish well, these words are indeed fitting. Valerie, podrás haber escapado de nuestra vista, pero jamás de nuestros corazones (Valerie, you may have escaped our sight, but never our heaettrnh
With deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences,
Doug Forasté
April 25, 2024
My thoughts are with the Stoltzfus family as they grieve for the loss of Valerie. She was an exceptional women who often hosted and fed me and Phil’s many other friends as teenagers while playing card games at her kitchen table.
Dave Gantz
April 25, 2024
Dear Elmer, So very sorry to hear of the passing of your Wife, our thoughts and Prayers are with you. Jay & Betty Ann (Erb) Haverstick
April 25, 2024
Valerie The Kmart Clark will be deeply missed by all the persons who she touched their lives in so many ways. Her joy and humor spread so much joy to all who knew her. Her love for Christ was an inspiration to us all. We will see you again in heaven to dance with the mariachi band. Wowee Love Neal and Tammy Martin
April 24, 2024
We have a neighborhood breakfast group and our get togethers were always more fun when Valerie was there. We will miss her sweet spirit. I loved how she praise the Lord no matter what she was going thru and i slso loved to hear her pray. I will miss her and will be praying for the family as they get used to life without her.
Peggy Smythe
April 24, 2024
My deepest condonlences to the family and loved ones of such an amazing and beautiful person. My heart is truly saddened and she will be deeply missed. May God be with everyone in this time of need. I will remember all the good laughs we had and cherish the memories we shared in such a short time of us being neighbors.
Jessica Weir
April 24, 2024
Valerie, I am so sad that you are gone but you are rejoicing in heaven with Jesus and that’s the best news to comfort our broken hearts. Say hi to my dad up there! We will make sure Elmer has his glasses every Sunday and isn’t doing anything too crazy like jumping out of the truck or anything. To her family, we love you guys. Our prayers are for peace during this time. Your mom was very special and she often spoke of how proud she was of you all individually. Love! The Colons (not Moses 🙂 )
