Valerie Mary Heaney - Obituary

alerie Mary Varker Heaney, a 60-year resident of Hillsmere Shores in Annapolis, Maryland, passed away on April 10, 2026. She was 91 years old. Born in Philadelphia on October 21, 1934, to parents Mary Silvia Matuszewska and Alphonse Varker, Valerie was the middle child between her brother Alan and her sister Mary Anne. Valerie graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls and was a librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where she met her husband of 59 years, Lawrence Joseph Heaney. They married in 1954 when Valerie was 19 years old. Of the many roles and jobs she held throughout her long life, Valerie particularly liked being remembered as a librarian, wife, proud mother and grandmother. Valerie devoted many years to raising her four children through church, school and community. She managed two household moves while the family was young and participated in many activities, including volunteering at church, school, the Brownies, and the legendary “Carnival for Muscular Dystrophy,” which she coordinated and hosted and which became a proud family memory. Valerie was a parishioner at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, and at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Annapolis. She was passionate about civics and volunteered as a poll worker and census taker before establishing a career as a medical office manager. Later, she worked as a pharmacy technician and finally, in a full circle, as a storyteller in the children's book center at Zany Brainy, cultivating children’s joy of reading through readalouds and role-playing. Valerie sang with the Sweet Adelines, inheriting a love of music from her mother, a concert pianist, as well as from her husband, a fine tenor with an Irishman's musical heart. Over her lifetime, she also enjoyed sewing, sailing, food, reading, traveling, birdwatching, and old movies. She was very proud of her Polish heritage and often credited her good health and longevity to her Polish roots. Valerie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence Heaney, and her brother Alan Varker. She is survived by her family: daughter Valerie Donaldson, her husband Scott and grandson Elliot; daughter Kate Porter, her husband David, and grandsons Zachary and Victor; son Larry Heaney and his wife Terry Olsen; and son Michael Heaney. She is also survived by her sister Mary Anne Sullivan as well as nieces, nephews, relatives and friends from New Jersey to Florida, Hawaii, and Ireland who will cherish the memory of her feisty nature, quick laugh, and loving care. Valerie will be interred with her husband at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, Maryland, on May 21, 2026 at 1 pm. Family and friends are invited to attend.