Grace LaValley

Grace was born to Samuel and Jennie (Gjolme) Watters on September 16, 1932 in Ishpeming. Her family lived in the Green Creek Location and Grace graduated from National Mine High School in 1950.

She married Wilbur LaValley on June 14, 1952, proudly claiming “On Flag Day.” They raised 5 children in Marquette in the LaValley home of 50 years. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with extended family and friends on June 14, 2012.

Grace provided childcare for dozens of families in her 20 year career. She loved to tell stories of those busy days with sometimes up to 20 kids when she would call in help during lunch hours. The parents were amazed and grateful for her loving care of their children. After Grace retired from Daycare, she spent many hours babysitting for her own grandchildren and helping her children whenever they needed her.

In 2017, Grace was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award that states: With grateful recognition the Corporation for National and Community Service and the office of the President of the United States Honors GRACE LAVALLEY with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for their lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service. Signed President Barack Obama – 2017.

Another highlight in Grace’s life was when she received the award for top Senior Volunteer of the Year for the State of Michigan in September 2019. Governor Gretchen Whitmer presented the award and congratulated her for over 5,000 hours of volunteer service to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans. Her passion was to care for anyone who needed uplifting and loving care. She enjoyed her work and the many friends she made at Jacobetti. Grace was also a member of the Elks Club and the American Legion for many years.

Grace is survived by her children, Bill (Jan) LaValley, Joan Erickson (Klaus Buschalla), Jean (Larry) Lawless, Gary (Becky) LaValley, and Dennis LaValley; 10 Grandchildren and 9 Great-grandchildren, and special nieces, Carol Farmer and Linda Desormier.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur LaValley, on October 10, 2012; her brothers, Jim, Russell, Clint, George and Bob Watters; her sisters, Ethel Hartman, Olive Huot, Katherine Anderson, and Betty McEachern.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Canale Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Friday, January 31, beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 pm. Rev. Greg Heikkala will officiate. A reception will follow at the funeral home. Interment will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Michigan Veteran Homes, D.J. Jacobetti, Life Enrichment Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made online at canalefuneral.com.