This memorial website was created to remember our dearest Valerie Kirkpatrick Gattuso who was born on December 7, 1971 and passed away early evening, March 30, 2009.
God received Valerie into His rest and her suffering has ended forever! Every ounce of pain, trial, fear, and restlessness has been met with peace. She will probably sleep for the next couple of weeks anyway, before waking up with a bottle of blow bubbles to begin entertaining her Lord. That would be His Val!
From Mom
"To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord". Sometimes when our heart can't accept or understand the loss of someone we love more than life itself, we just have to take God at His word and blindly trust Him.
Val went home to be with the Lord tonight, two days ago the Dr. said she had pulled through the crisis, but today the state of her health started to decline. Val had been very weary, tired of all the battles, and she had indicated that she was ready "to go home". It has been 20 months since her initial surgery, and I don't know anyone braver than Valerie was in the face of all of the surgeries, procedures, and amputations. We had alot of good times too during the last 20 months. Val's greatest fear upon learning of her mitral valve repair was that she would be left alone in the hospital. I assured her she would never be alone, and there was not one single day in all of these months that Valerie ever spent without me or her father. The last 10 days, her Dad was at her bedside all through the night, and either Regan and I with her during the day.
Val talked alot about heaven, and although she didn't want to leave her family, she seemed to grow closer to the Lord and more reconciled with "going home". We rejoice in the fact that we had a beautiful, wonderful, precious daughter for 37 years, and that we will see her again someday. No daughter could have been a greater joy, and we thank the Lord for giving her to us.
Thank you for all the prayers, they were not in vain. Val got to spend many more months with Kennedy because of answered prayers, and for that we are grateful. Again, much love to those who have shared our battles. Gene, Sharon, Regan, Phillip and Kennedy
Val's Celebration Services will be at 11AM CST this Friday, April 3rd at the Ford Funeral Home, 305 S. Sooner Rd., Del City, Oklahoma 73110, phone 405-677-9990.
Please take a moment to share as much content as you like on the site. It will be printed, bound and given to the family and precious Kennedy.
| Bradley B. Ludrick | Thank You | May 11, 2009 |
| Bonnie Cooper | Determination | May 1, 2009 |
I got to know Val while she was working on her master's thesis. She submitted her thesis for review right before her first surgery. It was several months before she was able to work on the thesis again. No matter what health obstacles Val faced, she was determined to finish the thesis and complete her master's degree. Many people would have given up, but Val was very determined to complete the task. It was a joy, honor, and privilege to work with her. I was happy to be able to tell her "congratulations" when she had completed her degree requirements.
It was a blessing to email Val and to hear from her. In one email, I sent her a Bible verse. Her response to that note was very touching and truly brightened my day. I will miss her thoughtful emails and her friendship.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family now. May God's gift of salvation grant you peace at this time.
| Silvia and David Halpern | Amazing Strength | April 14, 2009 |
We personally didn't know Valerie, but we knew of her courageous fight . My sister Nela is Regan's sister in law and we knew of her ups and downs. We only wish we had the opportunity to meet this young beautiful woman. God sent Valerie to us and she is now resting and watching over all of us.
May God bless you all.
With Love,
David and Silvia Halpern
| Matthew Eull | What a wonderful person | April 4, 2009 |
| Mary Lou & John Gwozdek | The Beacon of Light | April 3, 2009 |
Only once did John and I have the pleasure of meeting Val and Kennedy at an unplanned breakfast. Somehow God works miracles through others and these moments of short visits before your church and after ours made us realize how strong a family unit you have created. May God blessings pour out on your family and know the candles lit and prayers said by all Christians for Val brought many unbelievers into the presence of Christ. It was His Will not Ours, and you are truly a reflection of that eminent domain. Please know we truly enjoyed those meetings of coincidence and especially recognized your beautiful Val/Kennedy as very special! For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, Forever and Ever AMEN!
