Valeda Ruth Barcelow
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Valeda "V" Barcelow, 95, passed away at home in South Royalton, VT, December 23, 2020. Born Valeda Ruth Simons on February 6, 1925 in Rockville Centre, NY, she was the youngest of three daughters to William S. and Pearl R. (Munger) Simons. She grew up in the outskirts of Boston.
Valeda earned a bookkeeping and secretarial skills associates degree from Atlantic Union College, where she met Albert E. Barcelow. He was the class president and spending a good bit of time with another young lady; Valeda was the class secretary with a beautiful smile. When Albert shifted his full attention to her, her girlfriends started calling her "V" for Victory?a nickname that lasted her lifetime. They were married February 3, 1946, shortly after Al's discharge from military service.
Valeda worked as a bookkeeper/secretary while Al completed his degree at Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In 1957 they moved to Vermont and opened Barcelow Optometry. She was the bookkeeper for the practice for over 30 years.
In the 1960s she enrolled in a mail-in art class and developed a life-long love for painting. Her favorite subjects were the hills, red barns, and flowers of Vermont. She also became an avid gardener, with prolific flower gardens and a legendary blueberry patch.
Along with raising three children, she devoted time to her music, playing the piano, organ, and violin. For over 50 years, she was the faithful pianist and organist at the Seventh-day Adventist church she belonged to where she was also the church treasurer.
Valeda is survived by her three children and spouses: Jerry and Nancy Barcelow; Jeffrey and Laurie Barcelow; Georgina and Benjamin Hill; four grandchildren: Dean and Heather Barcelow; Rebecca and Michael White; Danielle and David Guggina; Travis and Kelti Barcelow; and six great-grandchildren: Braden, McKenzie, Leah, Chase, Colette and Eloise; and one sister, Eleanor Eldridge.
She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Albert Barcelow, and one sister, Marjorie Archibald.
There will be no public funeral services. A private burial will be held at a later date at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com . The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, VT is in charge of arrangements.