Katherine Lavetta Valore

Katherine Lavetta “Kathy” (Harrold) Valore

April 2, 1934 - November 20, 2024

Katherine Lavetta Valore, 90, beloved mother, grandmother, and Littleton community pillar passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20th in Englewood, Colorado.

A family service and burial for Kathy was on December 7th at the Littleton Cemetery with Edward Haynes officiating.

Born on a ranch near Westcliffe, Colorado on April 2, 1934, Kathy was the daughter of Willfred and Bessie Harrold. Kathy graduated from Golden High School in Golden, CO (class of 1952) where she was an active cheerleader and made lifelong friends.

In the early 1970s, Kathy and her family moved to Bellevue, Washington, where she became known for her selflessness and dedication to others. During this time, Kathy passionately coached girls’ soccer and basketball, inspiring young athletes with her leadership and commitment to teamwork. Her impact on those she coached remains a cherished memory for many in the Bellevue community.

Kathy met her future husband, Richard J. “Dick” Valore, while working at the Colorado School of Mines where he was studying chemical engineering. Their shared values and love for life brought them together. They married on August 28 of 1953, in Littleton, Colorado, beginning a partnership that would last nearly six decades. Together, Kathy and Dick built a life centered around family, hard work, and their community.

In 1973, Kathy and Dick took over Valore Hardware (purchased in 1917 by A.J. Valore).

Together, they ran the family-owned hardware store for 32 years, earning a reputation for exceptional customer service and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Their commitment to the business and the community made Valore Hardware the oldest, continuously operating business in Littleton, a business that had been a cornerstone of Littleton for over 88 years, until their retirement in 2005.

Kathy’s life was a testament to love, service, and resilience. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering support of her family. Kathy had an innate ability to make everyone feel special, and she had a unique gift for connecting with people. She cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren, always offering wisdom, laughter, and a loving presence in their lives.

Kathy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dick, who passed away in 2011, and her sister, Betty Lee Allison, who passed in 1974. She is survived by her three children, Richard H. Valore (Robin), Samuel Valore, David Valore (Chris), and her grandchildren: Adam Valore, Michael Valore, Nicholas Valore, Andryia Valore Thiret, Aiden Valore, and Sydney Valore. Kathy’s legacy will continue through her children and grandchildren, who carry forward her love, values, and spirit.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Namaste Angel’s Foundation in memory of Kathy.

Kathy will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched with her generosity, kindness, and love

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