Valerie Evers, 53, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, after a brief illness. Her brother John and his wife Caroline were at her side. Valerie was born December 22, 1957, in Camden, NJ, to John (Jack) and Frances Evers. Vals developmental disability made it apparent early on that her journey would not be an easy one. She grew up and lived for most of her life in Wayne, NJ, attending the special education programs in the Wayne Public Schools. After graduation, she worked for a time in several sheltered workshops. Her real calling, though, was taking care of others. When her father endured a long and debilitating illness, she made it her full-time job to see to his daily needs until his death in 1996. Valerie liked to do a number of arts and crafts. Hooking rugs, making potholders (blue and white, or red and white, check patterns were her specialties), and drawing were some of her favorite activities. Swimming in the family pool, as well as visiting her grandparents and her favorite aunt in upstate New York, were important ingredients in Vals life. She also liked doing puzzles, especially of animals. Looking after the family dogs was a daily responsibility that Val cherished. After the passing of her last dog, Sam, she put his nametag on a necklace which she then wore during her frequent trips to the hospital. As long as Sam was with her, Valerie believed everything would be all right. Val lived at home with her parents until 2008, when her own deteriorating health required her to move to a nursing home. Change was never a simple matter in her life, but in time Val came to view the staff and residents of Lakeview as part of her extended family. After her mother passed away last fall, Val moved to Helen Porter Nursing Home in Middlebury, Vermont, in order to be close to her brother and his wife. Her only regret was that there was no Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant nearby it was her favorite meal. Vals greatest gift to others was her ability to make those around her better people. She taught them patience and tolerance for sure, but also the importance of simple things like quiet companionship, enjoying pink sunsets, and the variety and antics of the birds at the feeders outside her window; she would watch them and draw pictures of them for hours. Val is survived by her brother John and his wife Caroline, of New Haven, VT; her aunts Irene Speroni and Mary Dolecki, both of Salamanca, NY; and several cousins. There will be no funeral services other than a private burial ceremony at Calvary Cemetery in Salamanca, NY, where Valerie will buried next to her mother. As Val was a great dog lover, memorial donations to the Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT, or to your own local humane society, would be appreciated.