Valerie Morrow
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Valerie Morrow passed away peacefully on December 23, 2020 at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Valerie was born on August 7, 1951 to Michael and Frances Bowka in Syracuse. She graduated from Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse and from the SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Valerie married her husband, Bruce, on October 10, 1981 at the summer residence of Bruce’s family in Culver Lake, NJ.
Bruce and Valerie settled in Saratoga Springs in 1981, shortly after their marriage, and Valerie dedicated herself to her passions of volunteerism and dance. In her early years in Saratoga, Valerie taught ballet to elementary students in the Galway Central School District and volunteered with the Junior League of Albany, the Travers Committee and the Empty Stocking Project, of which she was a founding member. Bruce and Valerie became members of Bethesda Episcopal Church upon settling in the city and the family continues this legacy of worship at Bethesda as parishioners today.
Valerie gave birth to her only child, Michael Logan Morrow (Logan), on November 10, 1986. A dedicated mother, Valerie and Logan enjoyed a lifelong relationship of love and support.
Continuing her lifelong interest in dance, Valerie taught aerobics at the Saratoga YMCA and the Saratoga Senior Center for over 25 years. Over this time, Valerie shared her love of dance with hundreds of students and was an inspiration for many in their health and fitness goals. In her later years, Valerie continued her volunteerism with Saratoga Center for the Family and the American Cancer Society, and she was an active member of the Heritage and Katrina Trask Garden Clubs.
Valerie leaves behind her husband, Bruce, and her son, Logan, as well as her brother Mark (Linda) Bowka, of San Antonio, TX and their family. To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory, please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com. Due to the pandemic, plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.