DANVERS – Valerie June Sweet, 89, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 22, 2022, at her home in Danvers in the loving embrace of her three children. Born in Malden, she was the daughter of the late Laurence and Lillian Pearl (Pendergrace) Cornwell. She was the widow of Newton H. Sweet, Jr., former longtime Danvers public works director, with whom she proudly shared 42 years of marriage.

Valerie graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Keene Teachers College in 1954, and went on to become an elementary school teacher in Hampstead, NH. After moving to Danvers with her family in 1968 she became a substitute teacher for Danvers Public Schools, later working and retiring from Kwik Copy in Middleton. She served her community for many years as a municipal election poll worker, as well as a census taker in Danvers. In addition, she spent many an October greeting visitors at the gates of the Topsfield Fair.

She was a devoted lover of animals and formerly volunteered at the Northeast Animal Shelter. Following the death of her husband, Valerie continued to maintain her home and her gardens. She passed on her flair for cooking and baking to her children and grandchildren. In Valerie's kitchen, the cookie jar was never empty.

Valerie is survived by her 3 adoring children; Kimberly J. Cournoyer and her husband, Roland L., of Danvers, Laurel J. Sweet, also of Danvers, and Kerry J. Sweet and his wife, Lisamarie of Merrimack, NH, and 2 grandchildren; Ashleigh Cappello of Philadelphia, PA, and Allison Sweet of Merrimack, NH, and many nieces and nephews. Valerie is also survived by her beloved beagle, Chloe. She was predeceased by her sister, Marilyn Bangs, of York, ME.

ARRANGEMENTS – Services were private with burial in Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord, N.H. Assisting the family with the arrangements was O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) in DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, donations in Valerie's memory may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970, or to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Care Dimensions
75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923
Web: https://www.caredimensions.org/

MSPCA at Northeast Animal Shelter
347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970
Web: http://mspca.org/adoption-centers/northeast-animal-shelter/