Marie Valachovic

Marie Valachovic is a tireless educator who has spent her adult life making a difference in the lives of all those she meets. A lifelong resident of Fulton County, Ms. Valachovic graduated from Johnstown High School, where she was renowned for her exceptional all-around athletic abilities. She went on to study at SUNY Oswego, eventually earning a bachelor of science degree in education from SUNY New Paltz. She later earned a masters in reading and a Certificate of Advance Studies in School Administration from SUNY Fredonia. 

As an educator, Ms. Valachovic’s skills and dedication touched the lives of all her students, helping them make academic and social progress. She has enjoyed tremendous success in various education positions in New York and Massachusetts before retiring from the Richfield Springs School District, where she was director of reading. 

Ms. Valachovic is a quintessential part of her community. She serves as Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Johnstown and has also served on various other church committees for 26 years. She has been a member of the St. Monica Chapter Order of the Eastern Star for 55 years and has held leadership positions, including several terms as Matron. In addition, she is also a member of Amaranth, which serves to help those with diabetes, Daughters of the Nile, which supports the Shriners, and Willing Helpers Home for Women. 

Never one to shy away from lending a helping hand, Ms. Valachovic was also one of the original organizers of First Night, sponsored by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, and the Holiday Meals program sponsored by the Council of Churches.

For all her efforts in making her community a better place to live, Ms. Valachovic was selected as Senior Citizen of the Year by the Fulton County Office for Aging. 

Ms. Valachovic was married to the late Dr. Robert Valachovic for over 52 years. She is the proud mother of Glenn Valachovic and Alison Marie Apple, the loving grandmother of Ashley, Barbara, Joseph, and Paul, and great-grandmother of Kaileigh and Gavin.