Obituary of Valerie K. Gillespie
The services that were scheduled have been postponed until a date and time to be announced.
Valerie K. Gillespie, 58, of Brielle passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at home with her family by her side. She was born in Newark, raised in Orange, moved to Penn State to attend college, and settled in Brielle in 1980. Valerie was a graduate of Orange High School and Penn State University. She started her own business in 2003, Gillespie Engineering Inc. Valerie enjoyed playing softball, playing and coaching throughout her life, and was the first female to play hardball in Essex County. She was passionate about riding motorcycles with her group, NJMC and HOG. In her spare time, she could be found singing Karaoke, playing group trivia, and Jeopardy. She was a life-long learner and loved to study history, technology and anything to add to her vast wealth of knowledge. Valerie was active in the Penn State Alumni Association and hosted the Central New Jersey Football Watching Parties, bringing people together. She was passionate about being charitable, raising thousands of dollars for THON for Penn State, during and after graduation. Valerie enjoyed playing a variety of instruments with her family, especially her guitar.
She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Walsh; father-in-law, Douglas; and mother-in-law, Virginia. Valerie is survived by her beloved husband of 34 years, Douglas Gillespie, of Brielle, NJ; mother, Esther Aruz of Orange, NJ; daughters, Kate Goldberg and her husband, Thomas of Toms River, NJ, Maggie Gillespie of New York City, NY; granddaughter, Riley Goldberg of Toms River, NJ; sisters, Kellyann Kovach and her husband, Jerry Bowers of Orange, NJ, and Jodie Donovan of Naples, FL; best friends, Sharon Yasko of Piscataway, NJ, and Linda Holoviak of State College, PA; and many loving family and friends.
The services that were scheduled have been postponed until a date and time to be announced. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Valerie’s name may be made to THON, 227D Hetzel Union Building, University Park, PA 16802. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com