Valerie Rose Lemanski Barrows

NEWPORT – Valerie Rose Lemanski Barrows, 78, was peacefully taken home to the Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, with her family by her side. She was born on Jan. 7, 1944, in New Britain, Conn., a daughter of Valentine and Ida (Carbonel) Lemanski and was one of three children.

Valerie grew up in Plainville, Conn. She went to Catholic schools and her favorite subject was English. She first went to St. Ann’s and later St. Anthony’s. In Jr. High she went to school at St. Maurice in Bristol, Connecticut. Her sophomore year of high school she went to a public school in Plainville, Conn. There, she met the love of her life, Albert, in their Biology class. They got married on Jan. 30,1964, and were married for 58 years.

Valerie’s calling was to be a nurse. After she graduated from high school she went to a program at the Bristol, Conn. hospital to be a practical nurse.

Valerie and Albert, along with several other couples, started The Creative Learning Center in Connecticut in 1972.

Valerie and Albert moved from Bristol, Conn. to St. Albans with their lifelong friends Tom and Lynn Roach, along with their five children combined, Heather and Emily Barrows, and Michael, Christopher and Jamie Roach. Those two families owned and operated the St. Albans General Store “SAGS” from 1976 to 1993. This was a gathering place for the community.

Valerie continued her education at Kennebeck Vocational Community College, where she graduated with an associate degree in nursing and became an R.N.

After college, Valerie worked at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield as a registered nurse. She enjoyed bedside nursing the most. She worked at SVH for almost 23 years.

Valerie retired early from the hospital to help her daughter, Emily, and husband, Patrick, raise their children, Mia and Sophia. Together, Valerie and Albert would bring the girls to and from school, and to and from dance. They would also cook dinner for them, take them to appointments, help them with homework, and nurture them when they were sick. Valerie also volunteered at the girls’ schools for reading time.

Valerie loved to watch her granddaughters dance. She was their biggest supporter at parades, recitals, competitions, and even at home.

Valerie and Albert enjoyed going to church with their daughters Heather and Emily Barrows, and their good friends Joe Spaider, and Joni Lima. Then later in life with their granddaughters. She also loved spending time with family and friends, horseback riding, skiing, hiking, and antiquing. Her favorite thing to do was to go to their cottage in Pemaquid and walk on the beach.

She is survived by her loving husband, Albert, of 58 years; daughter Emily (Barrows) Cianchette and husband Patrick; granddaughters Mia and Sophia Cianchette and Patrice (Cianchette) Witham, husband Justin; two great-grandsons, Dominick and Connor Witham; sister-in-law, Melinda (Barrows) Rogers; cousins, nephews, and nieces from Connecticut and Massachusetts. She also leaves behind very dear friends, Joe Spaider, Joni Lima, Lynn Roach, Shari Fredette, and many others.

She was predeceased by her parents, Valentine and Ida Lemanski; loving daughter, Heather Barrows; sister Kathleen Ann (Lemanski) Camire; and brother, Valentine Allan Lemanski.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at 2 p.m., at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 238 Detroit Ave, Pittsfield, ME 04967.

Those who wish may leave written condolences at http://www.CrosbyNeal.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital Auxiliary, for nursing student scholarships

447 N. Main St.

Pittsfield, ME 04967

Att: Mrs. Julie Clark