Valerie Mary (Duschene) Firestone, a resident of Melissa, Texas, passed away April 27, 2025 at the age of 95. She was born on November 26, 1929, to her loving parents, Fred and Winifred Darlow in the United Kingdom. Valerie grew up in London, England, and attended a business college before making a new life in Irving, Texas. She was blessed with three children—Paul, Janet, and Craig—who brought endless joy and pride to her life. In 1975, she married the love of her life, Harvey Firestone in Durant, Oklahoma. Shortly afterward, they moved to Richardson, Texas, and soon settled in Melissa, Texas, where they would build a life together for nearly 50 years.
Valerie dedicated many years of her life to her career as an administrative assistant, known for her diligence, warmth, and attention to detail. She retired at the remarkable age of 82, having touched the lives of countless coworkers and friends along the way.
Valerie’s true passions, however, were always close to home—her family, the comfort of her home, and the care of animals. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she loved nothing more than gathering everyone together for big Sunday dinners. Her homemade meals were legendary, and her apple pie was the highlight of every gathering.
Her legacy lives on in the kindness she showed, the love she gave, and the memories she created around her kitchen table.
Valerie is survived by her beloved husband of nearly fifty years, Harvey Firestone, of Melissa, Texas; children, Paul Poland, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Janet Weatherbee (husband Derek), of McKinney, Texas, Craig Poland, of Melissa, Texas, and Tom Firestone (wife Lanita) of Sperry, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Leslie Baccus (husband Billy), of Rapid City, South Dakota, and James Firestone, of Alamogordo, New Mexico; great grandchildren Wyatt, Trey and Oliver; and a host of extended family members and friends, who will always cherish her memory.
Valerie was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 16, 2025. At Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013. Following the funeral, a procession will make its way to Ridgeview Memorial Park for a committal service.
In lieu of flowers and based on Valerie’s love for animals please make a donation to InSync Exotic Wildlife sanctuary @ https://www.insyncexotics.org.