Elizabeth Ann Valdez

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann "Beth" Valdez, 77, of Frederick passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Franklin Square Medical Center, in Baltimore, MD. She was the loving wife of James J. Valdez for 55 years. Born August 11, 1947 in Denver, CO, she was the daughter of the late John and Mildred (Blanford) Ladwig.

Beth was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver, CO and University of Northern Colorado (formerly Colorado State College).  She married her husband James on August 8, 1969 and began a 21 year adventure as the wife of a U.S. Air Force Officer.  As a family with their two daughters Kimberly and Kellie, they traveled around the globe from England to Guam and all places in between.

After a 20 year career as an elementary and middle school teacher, she settled into retirement in 2003. Along with Jim, she traveled the world, sailing on riverboat cruises and learned new activities such as pruning grapes during harvest at local wineries.  Several days a week you could find her at the local bowling alley with her league play or rolling the dice with her BUNCO friends.  One of the activities she had the most pride in was her time volunteering with the Frederick County Veterans History Project. It was here that she would interview and document the sacrifices and stories of local veterans in a partnership with the Library of Congress.  Several of Beth's weekends were spent on the sidelines cheering on her grandchildren in their various sports and activities.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Meade and husband Stephen, grandchildren, Michael Meade and Madison Meade and nephew, Brian Woods. Beth was preceded in death by daughter, Kellie Pagano.

The family will receive friends on Thursday April 10, 2025 from 4pm to 7pm at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD. Interment services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kellie Pagano G-05 Memorial Education Fund, Gallaudet University Development Office, Denison House 101, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20002