Valerie C. (Pupek) Melnick

Mrs. Valerie C. Melnick (Pupek), of Conshohocken, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, October 26, 2023. She was 65 years old. Born in Norristown, she was the daughter of George Pupek and the late Marie (Orsini) Pupek. She was the beloved wife of her high school sweetheart, the late Dr. Kevin Melnick, and the loving mother of Kevin, Alexandra, and Zachary. She is survived by her three brothers and their partners: George (& Fran), Steven (& Joanne), Jaime (& Kathy), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Valerie attended Holy Saviour School, followed by Hancock Elementary (where she met her lifelong best friend Tracy (Frith) Wolcott) and David Rittenhouse Junior High School. She then graduated from Norristown Area High School (1976), where she was Valedictorian, Class Secretary, Homecoming Queen, Honor Society, and an active member of – amongst many other extra-curriculars – the Riflery club! She went on to receive her undergraduate schooling at Villanova University (1976 – 1978), followed by Philadelphia Textile School (1978 – 1980), while working full time to fund her own education and complete her B.S. Degree.

Valerie then began her professional career with the executive management team at Boscov’s Department Store on the execution and opening of the first Ports of the World Store in Norristown, where she was store manager. She did this for over a decade, before transitioning to her roles of mother and teacher.

Valerie was best known as a devoted mother of three and an educator at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, where she worked for over 20 years as a Classroom Assistant in Preschool, Kindergarten, 1 st through 3 rd grade, and after-school student care. To say she was perfectly constructed for each of these roles is an understatement. She was loving, generous, accepting, extraordinarily patient, reliable, creative, inclusive, empathic, warm, gentle, and above all else, kind.

Valerie also appreciated the cozy little things in life. She never met a warm blanket, cute teacup, or festive holiday decoration she didn’t like. She always wanted to and continually succeeded at making everyone around her feel at home. Val truly opened her heart to everyone she met. To know her was to know her kindness and gentle smile, both of which she shared without condition or reservation.  

Valerie was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and selflessly lived out her life with compassion and kindness. She is now in God’s loving embrace, together again with her loving husband Kevin, but her legacy and memory live on through her students, friends, and family. She was and always will be our beautiful, perfect angel.

Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Caramenico Funeral Home, 403 E Main St, Norristown, PA 19401 and Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Saviour Church, 407 E. Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401. A Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a created fund in her name, checks may be made payable to Caramenico Funeral Home Inc, memo-Valerie Melnick Memorial Fund, or by calling 610-275-7777 for online donations, with the collection ultimately going back to the children and communities she served at Norwood Fontbonne Academy and Easterseals. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Caramenico
Funeral Home, Inc. (610) 275-7777. Online condolences: www.caramenicofuneralhome.com

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