Reading the Valerie Kratochvil obituary this morning brought tears to my eyes. Let me tell you about someone who changed Leeds forever.
The Story Behind Valerie Kratochvil Obituary
The news hit our community like a thunderbolt. Val passed away surrounded by family at St James’s Hospital. But this isn’t just any obituary – it’s a celebration of a proper Yorkshire legend.
Early Life That Shaped A Legend
Born in Manchester’s Ancoats district in 1945, Val knew what tough meant. Her dad worked the docks, mum ran a corner shop. They weren’t rich in money but wealthy in spirit.
She’d tell stories about:
- Sharing one egg between four kids
- Walking three miles to school in winter
- Dancing in the streets during power cuts
- Making dresses from old curtains
Breaking Barriers In The 60s
Val didn’t just open doors – she smashed them off their hinges:
- Became the first female manager at Leeds United Steel Works in 1968
- Started the revolutionary Women in Industry mentor programme
- Created night school programmes for working-class mums
- Fought for equal pay when it wasn’t popular
Family – Her Proudest Achievement
The Kratochvil house on Tong Road was never quiet. Val believed in open doors and full kettles. Her legacy lives on through:
- George, her husband of 52 years who she met at a dance
- Sarah (teacher), Mike (engineer), and Pete (social worker) – her kids
- Seven grandkids who learned to bake those famous Yorkshire puds
- Twelve great-grandkids who called her “Super Nan”
The Heart Of Armley
They called her “The Angel of Armley” but she’d clip your ear if you said it to her face. Here’s why that nickname stuck:
- Founded Armley Food Bank in 1985 during the miners’ strike
- Ran the Over-60s Chess Club for 35 years straight
- Volunteered 30+ years at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
- Started the first local women’s shelter
- Organised Christmas dinners for lonely neighbours
Fighting Till The End
Even when cancer came knocking, Val kept going:
- Wrote a cookbook for food bank users
- Recorded history lessons about old Leeds
- Mentored young women in engineering
- Organised her own farewell party
Community Impact Numbers
Val’s work touched thousands:
- 50,000+ meals served at the food bank
- 300+ women mentored into technical careers
- £2 million raised for local causes
- 15,000 volunteer hours logged
The Next Chapter
The Valerie Kratochvil Memorial Trust launches next spring. It’ll offer:
- Engineering scholarships for working-class kids
- Seed funding for community projects
- Support for elderly neighbours
- Food bank expansion funds
How To Honour Her Memory
Val always said “get up and do something”. She’d want us to:
- Volunteer locally
- Help someone learn new skills
- Share what we have
- Stand up for what’s right
- Keep the kettle on for neighbours
Practical Details From The Valerie Kratochvil Obituary
Service Details:
- Date: 22nd December 2024
- Time: 2pm
- Location: Armley Parish Church
- Reception: Armley Community Centre
Instead of flowers, please donate to:
- Armley Food Bank
- Women in Engineering Trust
- St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Her Famous Sayings
Val left us with proper Yorkshire wisdom:
- “Kindness costs nowt”
- “There’s always room for one more at table”
- “Don’t wait for permission to do right”
- “Tea fixes everything – if it doesn’t, you need a stronger brew”
The Legacy Continues
The Valerie Kratochvil obituary tells just part of her story. The rest lives on in:
- The kids she helped educate
- The families she fed
- The women she inspired
- The community she built
Reading the Valerie Kratochvil obituary reminds us – one person really can change everything. She proved it every single day.
