Valerie Davenport
Valerie
Davenport passed from this life on Feb. 15, 2018 at the age of 68. Born on Feb.
23, 1949 in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of Nicholas and Helen Bittner.
After
graduating from Riverside H.S., she attended Canisius College for about two
years. In 1970, she exchanged marriage vows with Jim and moved to York, PA.
While living there, Valerie became mother to Mark. In 1974, the young family
settled in FdL. She became mother to two more children, Laura and Suzanne.
Everyone
faces challenges in life. For Valerie, it was her epilepsy that was never fully
controlled. She became discouraged at times but was determined to enjoy life as
best she could. Valerie was a devoted mother and wife and enjoyed long walks,
biking, and swimming with her family. In the summer of 1993, she had a seizure
at the end of an adult swim. Valerie sank to the bottom of the FdL County Pool
without being noticed. By the time she was rescued, her brain was permanently
damaged from a lack of oxygen. After a lengthy rehab, she appeared about the
same physically but her husband and three children knew life was forever
changed. They became her primary caregivers.
Many people
(friends, relatives, and others) prayed for the well-being of Valerie and her
family. The grace of God was evident throughout the challenging years of care
giving and care receiving. Her family is grateful for the staff and volunteers
who helped with good care and support: Brooke Industries for about 20 years,
Agnesian Adult Day Services for about 4 years, and finally Artisan Memory
Care/Agnesian Hospice Care.
Valerie is
survived by her husband and three children, sister Barb (Dave) Chase,
brothers-in-law Bill (Cheryl) Davenport, Tom (Nancy) Davenport, and cousins,
nieces and nephews.
She was
preceded in death by her parents and brother (Paul Bittner).
Visitation:
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at
4:00 to 7:00 PM at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division Street in Fond du Lac.
Visitation will also be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 10:00 to 10:45
AM at Holy Family Church, 271 4th Street Way in Fond du Lac.
Services: A
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 21 at 11:00
AM at Holy Family Church. Private burial
will be at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be found at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com