Vallarie McNeil Obituary

In Loving Memory Vallarie McNeil May 15, 1950 - June 22, 2025 CLEVELAND, NY - Vallarie McNeil, 75, of Cleveland, NY, passed away mercifully but unexpectedly at her home on June 22, 2025. Born on May 15, 1950, in Oneida, NY, she was the daughter of the late Matthew and Gladys Koleski. Vallarie lived a life full of resilience, generosity, and quiet strength. She was known for her warm heart and unmatched green thumb. Her gardens bloomed as beautifully as the lives she nurtured around her. She carried both strength and scars - and she never pretended otherwise. That honesty drew people to her. She spoke her mind, loved deeply, and gave fiercely. She loved sharing her knowledge-of gardening, of life, of anything she found interesting. She was a natural teacher, always eager to pass on what she had learned with patience and joy. She also loved the hunt for forgotten treasures. Thrift stores and estate sales were her happy places-where she found not only bargains, but stories, memories, and pieces of beauty others might have overlooked. Anyone who came to visit Val was fed. Whether it was a warm meal, a snack, or a plate made just for you, her way of loving others was often through simple acts of care and comfort. She was a woman of many talents-she loved to sew, read, and took great joy in simple pleasures. One of her favorite places on earth was simply being at home. She especially loved spending time with her historical club members, enjoying good conversation over lunch, and cherished the tradition of attending the American girl doll tea with her daughter and great-granddaughters. She worked tirelessly throughout her life, including owning and working in restaurants, all while raising five children. Vallarie ultimately found peace and companionship with Gary McNeil, whom she married in 1982. Together, they enjoyed a quieter, simpler life until Gary's passing in 2023. She was a giver in every sense-always ready to help someone in need, often opening her home and heart without hesitation. Vallarie's greatest pride was her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gary and her son, William (Billy) Burdick. She is survived by her children: - Laurie (Dave) Martin of Cleveland - Carmen (Dee) Stagnitti of West Monroe - Suzanne (Shawn) Dauber of Florida - Melissa McNeil (Kyle Bangs) of West Leyden She also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren and four beloved great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immeasurable joy and pride. She is also survived by her brothers, Dan (Kim) Koleski of Camden, NY, Jeffrey Koleski of Oklahoma, a special Aunt Alma Johnson, many nieces and nephews and special friends who remained a constant presence in her life. At her request, there will be no public services. A private burial at St. Johns cemetery in Camden will take place in the care of LaRobadiere Funeral Home, where we will lay her to rest beside Gary. Vallarie's legacy lives on in the kindness she gave, the beauty she cultivated, the treasures she discovered, and the wisdom and love she so freely shared. You were the quiet strength behind everything we are. The matriarch of the family you built with love. We will carry you with us, always.