Valerie Kowal

Valerie J. Kowal, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born and raised in Finderne, Valerie was a lifelong resident who deeply valued her roots and community. She dedicated many years of service as a customer service representative with John Wiley & Sons in Somerset. She was an environmental activist helping Finderne fight the American Cyanamid superfund site and the 1990 toxic trash transfer station.  Valerie was a devoted communicant of St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Bound Brook, where she was an active member of the Altar Rosary Society.  

Her favorite past time was playing slots at the Borgata and she loved vacationing with her family in Florida and Aruba.  There wasn't a meal she wasn't ready to try especially off of someone's plate. 

Valerie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Thaddeus “Ted” J. Kowal, in 2019. She is survived by her children: Patricia Sawka and her husband Daniel of Middlesex, Matthew Kowal and his wife Melanie of Bridgewater, Mark Kowal of Bridgewater, Sharon Nerger of Flemington, and Diane Wizemann and her husband Michael of Bridgewater. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom were sources of immense pride and joy.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Funeral services will begin at 9:00 AM on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the funeral home, followed by a 10:00 AM Mass at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Bound Brook. Valerie will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsborough.

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