Mary Helen Valdez

Mary Helen Valdez, 83, of Owensboro, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. 

Born in Cloverport, Kentucky, on November 30, 1941, Mary was the cherished daughter of George and Louise Hettinger, whom she deeply admired throughout her life. 

While Jake Valdez was stationed at Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne Division, fate brought Mary and Jake together. After two years of courtship, they became the very first couple to marry at Precious Blood Catholic Church, beginning a 64-year marriage grounded in faith, family, and adventure. 

A proud graduate of Brescia University, Mary went on to earn both a master’s degree and Rank I certification from Western Kentucky University. She dedicated her life to education, teaching 5th grade at Thruston Elementary, 2nd grade at Highland Elementary, and 6th grade English and History at Daviess County Middle School. She had a gift for inspiring her students and took great pride in their successes. 

Beyond the classroom, Mary was a woman of many talents. A gifted artist and writer, she painted, crafted children’s stories, crocheted, and sewed with passion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her skills to sew hundreds of masks for hospitals and clinics. She also enjoyed collecting unique dishware, dolls, and coins, always treasuring the stories behind them. 

Family was Mary’s greatest joy. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her children and later her grandchildren, cherishing every milestone and memory. She and Jake shared a love of travel, whether spending summers at the lake with their daughter Pamela and her family, visiting their son Greg and his family across the world during his military service, exploring the United States in their motorhome, or adventuring through Europe together. 

Mary will be remembered for her elegance, her beautifully decorated home, and her thoughtful, generous spirit. She was quick to support new teachers, gladly helped friends navigate technology, earning the affectionate title of “IT guru”, and never missed an opportunity to share her wisdom with kindness and humor. 

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jake Valdez; her brother, Roland Hettinger; and her brother-in-law, Louis Valdez; sister-in-law, Louella Fernandez, and of course Ms. Minnie, her furry companion. 

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Greg Valdez (Rosalyn) of Ohio and Pamela Wascher (Dr. Tom) of Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Lex, Louis, Lucrecia (Lucy), and Lee (Leo) Valdez; siblings, Doug Hettinger (Gail) and sister-in-law Jessie Hettinger; brothers-in-law, Horace Valdez, Rudy Valdez (Lugi), and Milton Valdez; along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. A committal service will follow on Friday, August 22, at 10:00 a.m. in Christ Chapel at Owensboro Memorial Gardens, with entombment immediately afterward. 

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Owensboro Humane Society, 3101 W. 2nd St., Owensboro, KY 42301. 

The family would also like to thank Dr. Cannon and the hospital staff in the ICU for their impeccable care and compassion. 

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.glenncares.com.