Valdena Elanor Valdez

Valdena Elanor Valdez, 80, passed away on March 15, 2017 surrounded by her family at McKay Dee hospital from complications of an aneurism. She was born in Monte Vista Colorado on July 11, 1936 to Theodora Arellano and Manuel Valdez. She was raised in Colorado and moved with her family to Ogden at the age of 13. She attended Ogden City Schools and later went on to work for McKay Dee hospital where she retired after more than 30 years of employment. She was a beautiful, kind and deeply faithful woman. She was baptized into the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Mary’s Parish.

Valdena was a spirited woman who loved to listen to music, sing, dance, and spend time with family. Valdena found her purpose and joy in life in helping those around her. She had no children of her own, yet she was a mother to many of us. She was generous. Though she had little, she would offer what she had. She opened up her home to many of us and took us in when we needed help. She was a loving, empathetic, and deeply caring woman. In many ways, she was the rock of our family. Her home was often the center of our family gatherings, birthdays, and holiday dinners. There was always a real sense of family roots, warmth and belonging at Aunt Vina’s house. While you were there, you felt like you were home.

Many loving nieces, nephews; grand nieces, grand nephews; two brothers, Gavino Valdez and Bob Valdez and one sister, Lucy Gallegos, survive her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 three brothers, Joe Valdez, Pete Valdez, and Lee Valdez, and two sisters, Olivia Gonzales and Sally Gutierrez. 

A viewing will be held at on Thursday, March 23, 2017  from 6 to 8 pm with a special service beginning at 7 pm at Aaron’s Mortuary, 496 24th Street Ogden, UT.  Holy Rosary will be held at 9:30 am with Funeral Mass immediately following  at 10 am on  Friday, March 24, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 514 24th Street, Ogden.