Passing of Bernie Valdez

Dear Saint Mary’s Community,

I write today to ask that we remember in our prayers Bernie Valdez, MEd ’82, who passed away recently after a lifetime of service to both his community and Saint Mary’s. In 1982, Bernie founded the Saint Mary’s College Career Center, a project he undertook after retiring from a career with AT&T, and where he worked until 2002. 

Bernie went on to serve on the Board of Regents and remained a faithful friend and supporter of the College for many years. In 1996, he created the Kevin Valdez Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of his son, Kevin ’78, MA ’87, to help students with disabilities who wanted to earn their college degree. Additionally, his gift of the bronze statue, Madonna, which graces the shaded roadside of the Soda Center, is a memorial to his late first wife, Florence. 

I invite all who would like to celebrate Bernie to join his children, his wife, Jacqueline, the Brothers, and former colleagues on Tuesday, October 4 at noon, for a funeral mass inside the Saint Mary’s Chapel. Father John Morris, OP, will say the funeral mass, with committal at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette to follow.

Best regards,

Richard Plumb, PhD
President