Valerie Tibbetts Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Valerie Ann Tibbetts, 45, of Jamestown, went into the loving arms of God on Sunday morning, Oct. 24, 2010 in her home, surrounded by family after a three year battle with colon cancer. We rejoice in the knowledge that she has passed the barrier of time as we know it, and is forever at home with the Savior. Valerie was given by the Lord to Russell Jr. and Delaine (Johns) Shields on July 2, 1965 in Westfield, N.Y. She was a 1983 graduate of Maple Grove High School, and was a 1984 graduate of Jamestown Business College. Most recently Valerie worked as the secretary to Student Services at Panama Central School for 14 years before retiring due to her illness. In earlier years she had worked at WCA Hospital, the Spoto and Slater Law Firm, Ironstone Restaurant, and Bud?s Carriage House. Valerie was a member of the Ellery Baptist Church, and had attended the Bemus Point United Methodist Church for the past 3 years. Val was a hardworking mom who often worked a second job to make sure her children had the things they needed. Val is survived by both her parents, Russell and Delaine Shields of Bemus Point; her husband of 26 years, Howard ?Jack? Tibbetts, whom she married May 18, 1984 in Bemus Point; four beautiful children: Amber, Krysta, Kaleigh, and Michael Tibbets, all residing in Jamestown; one darling grandson: Landyn Brice Witherspoon of Jamestown; three sisters: Deborah (Christopher) Loomis, Dawn (Michael) Johnson, Katharine (Brian) Whelan, all of Bemus Point; a brother, Jeffrey (Chastity) Shields, nine nieces and nephews: Thomas, Britney, Chelsey, Dylan, Taylor, Justin, Kamerin, Hunter, and Mason; and lots of special aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Belle Shepard in March 2002; and her paternal grandparents: Russell Shields, Sr. in Sept. 1996, and Florence Shields in Jan. 2000. Valerie grew up in a close knit family from Bemus Point. She was the second oldest of five children. Since a young age she had a wonderful motherly instinct to take care of others, first by helping out with her younger siblings when our mom went into the workforce, and later with her own children. She loved our frequent family gatherings and made the best three-bean salad and butternut squash. She always had a big smile and never complained even through countless cancer treatments and surgeries. She will always be remembered for her strength, faith, courage, and will to live to be there for her children. We promised we would help Jack so she could rest in peace knowing that our family would always be there for her family. Valerie?s life was her family and we will never forget her. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 4:00 ? 8:00 P.M. in Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home. Messages to the family may be sent by visiting the website www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 4:00 P.M. in the Bemus Point United Methodist Church. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. ? 1 Corinthians 2:9. The family suggests that memorials be made to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 1331 E. Wyoming Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; the Tibbetts Children Educational Fund, c/o Affinity One Credit Union, Jamestown, N.Y. 14701; or to Wings Flights of Hope, www.wingsffh.org. We would like to thank Cancer Treatments Centers of America in Philadelphia, PA., Rosewell Park Cancer Institute, Dr. Daniel Glotzer, WCA Hospital, Wings of Flights of Hope, Hospice Chautauqua County, Panama Central School and the Panama Community, our church families at Ellery Center Baptist Church and Bemus Point United Methodist Church, and to all of those who prayed for Valerie these past three years.

Valerie Tibbetts

October 26, 2010