Valerie Lorraine Pakula, a long-time resident of Dallas, Texas passed away on June 20, 2024 at Silver Leaf Assisted Living and Memory Care in Dallas. She was 96 years old.

Valerie was born to Frank and Kazimiera (Lukszas) Gricius on November 5, 1927 in her family's farmhouse near their dairy farm in the Michigan Upper Peninsula town of Carney. She attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and developed many fond memories of the farm and life with her six siblings in the unspoiled nature of this region.

As a young adult, Valerie moved to Chicago, Illinois where she took a job with Montgomery Ward. It was there that she met fellow employee, Arthur Louis Pakula ("Art"), who she would later marry on June 5, 1947. While living in Chicago, Valerie and Art welcomed three children into their lives and shortly thereafter, the family moved to Villa Park, Illinois.

In Villa Park, Valerie began what would become a long career in the financial industry by accepting a position at Villa Park Trust & Savings. In 1961, the family moved to Dallas, Texas where Valerie joined Preston State Bank. Later, she joined Republic National Bank of Dallas which, after a series of mergers and acquisitions, became what is now known as Bank of America, N.A. Valerie was understandably proud of her career and the fact that she was a retired Vice President of Bank of America.

After her retirement, Valerie volunteered for RHD Hospital in Dallas. She also spent many years as an enthusiastic volunteer with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Faustina in Dallas.

During her life, Valerie enjoyed a variety of leisure activities from square dancing with Art in her younger days to traveling, playing cards, and cookouts with their wide circle of friends for many years. She had a fondness for her grandchildren and enjoyed preparing large holiday dinners. She frequently reminisced about her childhood on the farm in Michigan and was somewhat disappointed each year when the Texas weather failed to provide her with a white Christmas. To the very end, she kept her faith and passed from this life with that faith in her heart.

Valerie was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son-in-law James Swanson, brothers Frank, Edward and Albert Gricius; sisters Emily Duncan, Charlotte Brown, and Lucille Kringle; and brother-in-law Alfred Pakula. Valerie is survived by daughter Christine Swanson, son Jeff (Kim) Pakula, and daughter Janice Pakula; grandchildren Bryan (Becky) Keeter, Jennifer (Scott) Jakubowski, Katherine Keeter, Tiffany (Gregg) Stahr, Michelle Pakula (Michael Lattis), Tom (Stephanie) Cote', James Swanson, and Julie (Eric) Pike, as well as fifteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to thank Valerie's many friends at CDA Court St. Faustina for their longstanding friendship and devotion to Valerie in her time of need. Also, Silver Leaf Assisted Living and Memory Care and Harmony Cares for their kind and loving care during Valerie's final chapter of life.

Due to limitations at the cemetery, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Faustina (checks payable to CDA Court St. Faustina, mailed to St. Monica Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Rd., Dallas, TX 75220 or online by credit card or eCheck at stmonicachurch.org/donate – and designate CDA Court St. Faustina in Memory of Valerie Pakula under "Other Designation"). Alternatively, please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice.

Service Information

Thursday, July 11, 2024

10:30 – 11:30 Funeral Mass (St. Monica Catholic Church; 9933 Midway Rd.; Dallas, TX)

11:30 – 12:30 Luncheon Reception (at Church)

1:30 Cemetery Service (DFW National Cemetery; 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway; Dallas, TX)