Valerie Niemiera, 71, of Edison, daughter to Charlotte Rackenback Popp and Harold H. Popp, passed away at home on November 4, 2024, in her husband's arms with their daughter and son present.

Valerie grew up in Sayreville, NJ, and was a graduate of the Sayreville School District. She went to Kean University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.  Deciding to become a teacher like her Mom, Valerie went back to Kean University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education.  Valerie was a teacher at Edgar Middle School in Metuchen, NJ.  She retired in 2019.

Valerie lived in Edison with her husband John; their daughter, Jacqueline; their son, John Henry; and over the years, their many dogs: Gennie, Lucy, Danny Boy, Ginger, Butch, Parker and B'ator.  Valerie enjoyed spending her summers the last 40 plus years on Cape Cod in Provincetown. She enjoyed canoeing, horseback riding, drawing, birdwatching, listening to classic rock and the blues, and flea markets. For those who knew her, they would often see her or chat with her as she worked in her flower gardens. She loved planting flowers --  be it perennials, wild, or beach flowers. She never liked to cut or have flowers in the home and when asked,"Why?," she would tell you, "Their beauty belongs free and in the wilds of nature."  Valerie also enjoyed her Cosmopolitan's with a medium-rare steak or some tasty seafood, and never forget the baked potato with butter and sour cream.

Valerie is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, John; their daughter, Jacqueline;  their son, John Henry; a sister, Merilin Williams; and brothers, Harold and William Popp.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Flynn and Son / Mitruska Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave., Fords, NJ 08863. Cremation was private.

In lieu of cut flowers, please make a donation in Valerie Niemiera's name to https://rwjuhgiving.org (follow the prompts, donate, go to kidney foundation, drop down to donate in memory of), or send a check to :  RWJUHGIVING Kidney Transplant Foundation, PO Box 156, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.  On the memo of the check, write, "In memory of Valerie Niemiera."