Valerie Heaps (9 Dec 1936 - 28 Aug 2022)

Valerie Heaps was born to Alec and Kathleen Birch (nee Derwin) on the 9th of December 1936 at a private nursing home on Hartington Street, Derby. Spending her first few years on Spinney Road, Chadesden they moved to Holmes Street, Normanton, to be closer to family. Valerie spent her childhood in Normanton surrounded by Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. She attended St James Schools.
Valerie met Derek, an apprentice Plumber, at a local dance and they were married under special license on the 24th of November 1956. The license was granted because Derek, who was serving in the RAF at the time, was being posted overseas to take part in the British Nuclear Tests at Christmas Island. They were married during his embarkation leave.
When Derek returned from the RAF they moved into their first home on Amber Road, Littleover. In the early 1960's they decided to try life by the seaside and moved to Luscombe Cresent, Paignton, Devon. In 1962 they had a son Nigel Kevin and by 1965 they returned to Derby moving into Baker Street where their daughter Debra Kay was born. Finally, in 1967 they moved to their forever home on Bakewell Drive, Castle Donington, where they were amongst the first families of the new estate.
Valerie had worked at Rolls Royce in lost wax assembly, Standard Telephones making electrical equipment an industry she returned to later in life. She also spent some time Shopkeeping but her constant passion was Dressmaking, following in the tradition of her mother's Jewish ancestry.
Valerie steadfastly nursed her husband Derek through years of illness until he finally passed away in 2012. She spent her later years in the company of David Clarke, a long-standing family friend who had served with Derek in the RAF. David and Valerie enjoyed each other's company travelling on holidays and cruises meeting people and creating some very happy memories.
Valerie had been under the weather for a while and when she decided to seek the doctor's advice it was discovered she had developed lung cancer. Unfortunately, it progressed aggressively and took her away in a very short time. During her final day's she was able to meet with her close family who all took some solace in having the time to say goodbye to her.
Her last word spoken was when looking at the photo of her husband, she said 'Derek'. Valerie passed gently away just as the sun rose on the morning of the 28th of August in the presence of Nigel her son and Becky his partner.
Valerie loved the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth, Devon. She made a donation in Derek's memory and often reminded Nigel that she would leave everything to the donkeys if he didn't behave! With that in mind, we would ask you make any donation, to the donkeys that Valerie loved, at the funeral service.
The service will be held at Markeaton Crematorium and a Celebration of her life will follow at the Donington Manor Hotel.
Her ashes will be scattered with Derek's.
Valerie leaves behind a son Nigel, his partner Rebecca, and Nigel's children; Kyle, Finlay, Charlotte, Annabelle, Kirsty (Kyles partner) and their daughter Emily.