Valerie Kay Ernst was born to Katie and Herman Weeks on August 21,1946 in Alexandria, Va. She spent all her growing-up years living on various military bases in France, the Azores, as well as Ohio and Georgia. After marriage, she moved to California, then to New Hampshire and New Jersey. She later had homes in West Palm Beach, Florida, then finally settling in Suwanee, Ga. to be close to her daughter and granddaughters.
While living in NJ, Val received her nursing degree and was employed as the school nurse in Upper Saddle River, in addition to volunteering on the local ambulance corp where she was Captain and Crew Chief, EMT instructor and CPR instructor. She also was an active Girl Scout leader and New Comers Club Vice President. Upon moving to Ga., Val became associated with Animal Rescue and spent many years fostering cats. It became her passion to which she dedicated many hours and much love. She is affectionately known in the area as “The Cat Rescue Lady”.
She will be missed by so many, two legged as well as four. It is no coincidence that she passed away on NATIONAL CAT DAY.
Valerie is survived by her daughter Julie (Don), granddaughters Lindsay, Ally and Gwen, as well as her sister Judy, Judy’s husband Rakesh and their two sons Krishan and Ketan and her mother Katie.
She is preceded in death by her father Herman, her husband Dave, son Glenn, and granddaughter Annika.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, 11:00 at The Level Creek United Methodist Church, 4844 Suwanee Dam Rd., Suwanee, Ga. 30024.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
• OASIS, a haven for women and children in Paterson, N.J.
oasisnj.org (please look under TRIBUTE GIFT)
• SOUTHERN ANIMAL RESCUE, a non-profit for neglected animals
in the Atlanta area. www.southernanimalrescue.com (please
Indicate that your donation is to Valerie Ernst under SPECIAL
INSTRUCTIONS)
To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.
