Clara Sue Valeck

Clara Sue Valeck (nee Bradley), of Shelby Township, Michigan, passed away on January 24, 2023 at the age of 81. Clara was the sweetheart and best friend of Larry for 61 years, and loving wife for 57 of those years; the cherished mom and guiding light of Paul (Tonia) and David (Jennifer); the adored grandma of Willem, Emeline, Elin, and Walker; the dear oldest sister of the late John Bradley (the late Judy), Hannah Marter (the late Harold), the late Kathy Wilson (the late Joe), Tim Bradley (Debbie), the late Charles Bradley (Marylin), Mary White (Larry), and Joe Bradley; and the beloved sister-in-law of the late Jerry Valeck (Patty), and Karen Valeck. She is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins, too numerous to name, but each of whom were very special to her. Clara was predeceased by her parents, John and Nancy Bradley, and her parents-in-law, Paul and Letha Valeck. Clara was born in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in Marine City, Michigan, attending Holy Cross High School. She met Larry at an A&W drive-in restaurant in 1961 and maintained a love of both Larry and root beer until her last days; one of her last requests was for a root beer float, which she shared with Larry and her sons from her hospital bed. For the last 48 years, she lived in the same house in Shelby Township, where she devoted her life to raising her loving family. Clara loved gardening in her yard; going to casinos; hosting Camp G&G for her grandkids in the summers; making yearly pilgrimages to Grandin and Elsinore, Missouri to visit her siblings; traveling several times a year to Washington, DC and Atlanta, Georgia to visit her sons' families; keeping up with family via Facebook; dancing whenever given the chance; bargain hunting; watching birds in her front yard from her porch, and ducks and geese in the lake from her back deck; and in later years, spending several weeks in the winter in southwest Florida. Through it all, Larry was her constant companion. A wall flower or morning person, Clara was not. She loved visiting with people, always told it straight, rarely acted her age, and often stayed up later than is reasonable to watch old movies. What she was in spades was generous - with her time, love, and advice. The oldest child of eight, she learned her skill in trade - caregiving - early. She always put the needs of others ahead of her own, always tried to do as best she could with what she had, and always gave yet never asked. Clara was, by all measures, one of a kind, and she made the lives of all she encountered brighter. She will be deeply and forever missed. Clara's family will receive all who knew her for visitation on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blocks East of Van Dyke), Utica. Visitation will continue Saturday, January 28, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of her funeral at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East, Clinton Township. Please share a memory with her family at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com

Clara Sue Valeck

December 27, 1941 - January 24, 2023