Valerie J. Konar

Marlborough- Valerie Janet Konar “Val,” 73, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at UMass Memorial University Campus in Worcester. She is survived by her beloved husband of 38 years Laurence “Larry” Spadoro. She is also survived by her very best friend Joanne Sheridan; her sister Christine Gurian; nephew Daniel Gurian; nieces Elizabeth Gurian, and Catherine Harkin and her husband Jeremy along with their children Juliette and Joseph. She also leaves behind numerous relatives by marriage on Larry’s side.

Val was born in Methuen, MA daughter of the late Joseph P. and Lydia M. (Sierpina) Konar. She lived in many places throughout her life. She grew up in Eerie, PA, moved to Meriden, CT, then to Brighton, MA, and then lived the rest of her life in Marlborough with her husband Larry. She loved gardening, photography, researching genealogy, and was an avid reader. She enjoyed watching public TV dramas, having delicious home cooked meals with Larry, and talking with her best friend Joanne on the phone. Out-of-town drives with Larry were also one of her favorite past time activities.

Val was a very accomplished woman. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern University, her Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling from Northeastern University, and her Master of Business Administration in management from Bentley College. In the late 80s to early 90s, Val worked as an assistant director to the Cognitive Rehabilitation Program at Braintree Hospital. Here she made amazing strides by rehabilitating individuals with brain injuries. From the late 90s to early 2000s, she worked at Volunteers of America, McCrohon House in Jamaica Plain, MA. Here, she converted a communal living facility into an assisted living facility. From there, she worked at the Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association in Waltham, MA as a director of Education and Membership.

From 2008 up until she retired, Val worked for the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Commonwealth Medicine in Shrewsbury, MA as a project Management Director. Here, she managed staff, consultation, and participants on a five-year federal grant reporting to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. She led a taskforce to produce a Communication and Confidentiality Resource Guide for families, behavioral health providers, schools, and primary care providers. She played a huge role in the success of this project.

Val will be remembered for being stylish and classy, wearing expensive clothes, listening to jazz and driving a high-end red sports car.

Val is peacefully laid to rest at Rural Cemetery in Worcester.

Please omit flowers.