Jacqueline Elaine Valdez

Jacque was born to Kenneth and Marjorie McElroy on August 12, 1942. She lived in Leadville, Colorado until she graduated from high school at 17 years of age. She was anxious to experience life and moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where she attended Colorado State University for one year. She enjoyed living with her roommates, playing bridge, dancing, and other social activities.

When her roommates decided to move to San Francisco, she moved with them. She was there for three years, working for the Seamen's Union. While there, she met someone who was involved with the Mafia. In her own words, “she was determined she wanted to survive”, which brought her back to Denver in 1968. She moved into a young singles residence where she met Richard Valdez. On the day of our country’s independence July 4, 1969, she married Richard and lost her personal independence. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage with each other.

They built their first home on Green Mountain in Lakewood, Colorado and through the blessing of adoption, they welcomed their son, Mark David in 1973. Mark made parenting so easy and rewarding, that in 1975 they adopted a second baby, Lisa Marguerite and their family was complete.

Richard’s career kept them on the move from Greeley, to Littleton, Colorado, and on to Boise, Idaho. It was while living in Littleton, that Jacque became a Christian, which was a central part of her life until her death, where she was greeted joyfully into the arms of Jesus.

No matter where they lived, Jacque pursued learning and education. She attended Barnes Business College, Red Rocks Community College, University of Northern Colorado, Boise State University and later enrolled in Regis College, which she attended along with her brother-in-law Bill Valdez.

In 1982, they moved to Fort Collins where they made their home until the time of her death. She worked part-time for Mother’s Inn, an adoption agency working with unwed mothers, while attending graduate school at Colorado State University. After graduating with her Master’s Degree in counseling, she worked part-time for Colorado Adoption Agency and set up a Counseling practice in her home.

Jacque was always stylish and fashionable, with a unique and fun-loving personality. While attending a seminar in Cleveland, Ohio, she rented a car at the airport. Heavy rain made it difficult to see and while attempting to exit, she drove through the entrance gate and punctured all four tires. Not surprisingly, this attracted a lot of attention! She had several mishaps like this, but this incident certainly topped the cake.

Her hobbies included hiking and camping, target shooting, playing the piano, reading, playing Wordle and Bridge. She loved taking cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and the Mediterranean; vacationing in Spain, Costa Rica, along with numerous trips to Mexico. Through it all, she loved dancing with her favorite dance partner, her husband Richard. Having taken dance lessons together, they were quite a sight to behold. On one occasion, the other dancers cleared the floor leaving Richard and Jacque alone to perform.They received a round of applause when the dance was over.

Jacqueline was predeceased by her parents, her daughter Lisa, and nephew Jonathon. Survivors include her husband, Richard and son Mark David Valdez, his wife Melissa and their children, Jackson, Marina, and Olivia. She is also survived by her brother Michael, his wife June and their children Katrina, Joel, and Kelwin.

Jacque was passionate about being an organ donor, and per her wishes, she was cremated. A celebration of life will be held on a later date. Condolences may be sent to the Valdez family in care of the Allnutt Funeral Home, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526, or online https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/ft-collins-co/allnutt-funeral-service-drake-roadchapel/

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