Mabel "Gracie" Valko
Age 97 of Wilmington
Peacefully joined her love and best friend Nick on Sunday, August 13, 2017.
Gracie was born on July 21, 1920 in Pittsburg, PA. With her family, she moved to Delaware in 1924 for health reasons. She met her beloved Nick through his brother, George. When she saw a picture of Nick it was love at first sight. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage before Nick died in 2000.
She graduated from Wilmington Hospital School of Nursing in 1941. She was the ultimate nurse, making sure her patients had the best of care. Over the years, she worked as a Public Health Nurse for the city of Wilmington where she was responsible for implementing the use of “covered” straws; did private duty nursing; then worked for Riverside Hospital for 23 years.
Together, Nick and Gracie operated the family owned restaurant, The Sanitary Luncheon at 4th and King Street – the home of the “Original Hot Texas Weiner”. Gracie was fast to tell everyone she was called Gracie because she sounded like Gracie Allen.
She enjoyed needlework, dress making, knitting, boating, fishing, and her times in Florida. She also loved and doted over her many animals which included cats, dogs, a parrot and an alligator. Over the years, Gracie made many friends with her smile, sense of humor, sometimes dry and her hugs.
Gracie was preceded in death by her sister, Leslie Heller Halliwell; her brother, Rudolph Heller Jr.
She is survived by her nephews, Michael Karomfily and John Halliwell; and great-nephew, Peter Valko; as well as many other loving nieces and nephews.
Gracie and Nick were not blessed with children but Gracie had many friends that considered her mom including her dedicated and devoted caregivers, Robin and Harvey Day and Jennifer West and her children, Dorian and Skyler; her very special friends, Jean Martin, Marge Grove, Millicent Keller, and Joyce Lennon, along with many others that loved her.
All services are private. Interment will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a Hospice Organization of your choosing.
Krienen-Griffith
Funeral Home
302-994-9614
www.delawarefuneral.com