Valerie Janus

Valerie Janus of Clearwater, Florida, peacefully passed into eternity Saturday, 18 February 2017 at 88 years of age. She is survived by her three children, five grandchildren and her brother. She was a Florida resident since the late fifties, and raised her family Catholic, persistently working hard to assure a parochial education for her children. Valerie established deep-rooted connections at St. Cecilia's where she was active in SCIPS, the Women's Guild, and later served as an usher at Sunday Mass.

An accomplished seamstress, Valerie professed she sewed everything from "snowsuits to swimsuits." And although her foremost occupation was motherhood, she also worked part-time at various clerical positions. When her children were grown, she had launched a long career as support staff at the Pinellas County Schools. Following fulfilling employment, she retired in her early sixties to travel and pursue hobbies of dancing and bowling.

Valerie made many trips abroad to Asia, Russia, Spain, South America, the Caribbean, and Alaska, documenting the wonders she saw in beautifully photographed and crafted albums. She also traveled to visit family, and in recent years accompanied her children to the Grand Canyon, Georgia's Gold Coast, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Very active in the ballroom community, she danced at several local studios, while taking private lessons to continually improve. She especially enjoyed socializing and dancing at the Italian American Club, where she made many lifelong friends, and was still attending events only weeks before her passing. An avid bowler, she regularly impressed her family and teammates with scores well over 200. Yet, despite her dominance on the lanes, she remained humble and willing to coach teammates and friends; she bowled until a few months ago.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, 20 March, at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the National Kidney Foundation.

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