Edith M. (Valeski) Garvey

Edith Garvey of Shelburne Falls passed away May 24th at Charlene Manor Extended Care following a period of declining health.

She was born in South Deerfield on December 14, 1937 to Filomena (Stokarski) and Stanley Valeski. She was educated in Deerfield schools, and was a 1955 graduate of Deerfield High School. She attended Northampton Commercial College and graduated in 1957.

She worked at the Deerfield Pharmacy, the University of Massachusetts and Lamson and Goodnow in Shelburne Falls. She married Robert Garvey on November 7, 1959. They celebrated 41 years of marriage prior to his death on February 5, 2001. They had one son, Mark.

Edith had a vibrant personality, a wonderful sense of humor, and was blessed with many wonderful friends. In her younger years she enjoyed polka dancing at the many venues at the time, including the Quonset Club in Hadley and the Hatfield Barn.

She is survived by her beloved son Mark Garvey of Greenfield. She also leaves two sisters, Frances York of South Deerfield and Barbara Bassingthwaite and her husband David of Deerfield, as well as her brothers Stanley Valeski of Boulder City, Nevada and Conrad Valeski of Greenfield. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, including her godson John Beckta, who did so much for her over the years, and with whom she had a special bond.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, her sister and brother-in-law Rosalie and Stanley Beckta of South Deerfield, as well as her sister-in-law Renata Valeski of California.

The family would like to thank the staff at Charlene Manor for the loving care they provided to Edith during her time there. We deeply appreciate it.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, May 28th at 10:00 am, at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 Monroe Ave., Shelburne Falls. Committal prayers will follow in Arms Cemetery.

There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 34 Monroe Ave., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

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