Valerie Claire Grzegorczyk (nee Lewis), 85, a resident of Ingleside since 1968, unexpectedly passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at home.  She was born November 11, 1935, in Derby England, to the late Sidney and Nellie Violet (nee McDonald) Lewis.

Valerie met the love of her life, Andrew, at a dance in England.  While emigrating to Canada, she and Andy hoped to marry on the boat and discovered that was no longer allowed.  Consequently, they married July 16, 1955, in Canada, and had their first child, Andrea, in Winnipeg.  They emigrated to the United States, settling in Waukegan.  Valerie worked as a laboratory technician at Abbott Labs for more than 40 years.

Valerie and Andy, wanting to be closer to the Chain of Lakes, built their dream home in Ingleside, where they enjoyed boating and being on the water.  Through hard work, Valerie was able to gift homes to several family members.

Valerie loved her family and time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Andrea (Edward) May; grandchildren, Tiffany and Kristen Grzegorczyk, and Vian Nicholas (Lo Lamoreaux) May; great-grandchildren, James Hogan and Abigail, Miriam, and Rebekah Lamoreaux; and sisters, Sandra and Carole.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew on April 26, 2004; son, Mark on November 27, 2011; her parents; and brother, Brian.

Visitation Monday, May 17, from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 12 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.  Burial will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.  Face masks and physical distancing will be required while inside the funeral home and cemetery chapel.

If you are unable to attend the funeral in person, you may view the live stream of the service by clicking here.

I n lieu of flowers, memorials in Valerie's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.StJude.org, or 800-805-5856, appreciated.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671