Birth date: Nov 24, 1949 Death date: Jan 6, 2022
Graciela "Grace" Valdez, 72, entered the Kingdom of our Lord Thursday, January 6th, 2022. On November 24th,1949, Grace was born to Hector E. Valdez Sr. and Adela (Rivera) Valdez in Weslaco, Texas. Grace was a lifelong resident of Read Obituary
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and photo! Our mother was special!
Aunt Gracie,
My first memories of you are from a time you played music at a place called Billy,s Boat House in Saugatuck, Michigan. A small intimate establishment located on the shores of Lake Michigan that served spirits and food for the boaters of Lake Michagan. Grand pa and grand ma lived in a town next door called Holland, Michigan. If my memory serves me correct, you played piano and sang for a Jazz Trio Band. I also saw you perform in Chicago, Illinoismwith grand pa Hector and grand ma Adela. We also attended my first play called EVITA with you, grand pa and grandma. The time frame is mid to late 1970s to early 1980s. I was 5 to 10 years old. Your younger sister Maxine (my mother) lived in Grand Rapids, Michagan 30 minutes inland. Yes so many memories we experienced together in Saugatuck and Holland from paddle boats, dunes, go carts, swimming pool, family dinners to you showing me how to make TUNA NOODLE CASEROLE and tuna patties. Thank you for watching me as a boy from time to time and being my aunt. Also thank you for giving me my second nick name (Sanch). My first nickname being Sonny from grand pa Hector. Lol
You see in my eyes aunt Gracie was the first celebrity, musician, superstar, extremely talented, cool, jazzy, artsy, Valdez regimented person I ever met. Her smoothness, gracefullness, eccentric lifestyle and her ability to perform the piano and sing angelically made her so cool to me as a boy. I remember seeing her picture on an 8 track tape. A true professional at her craft which has a lasting impression on me to this day. She was instrumental in me being Super Duper cool 😎 today and my ability to practice my crafts intentionally to achieve professional outcomes.
I had many memories but the most unique memory of aunt Gracie is I never in my lifetime remember my aunt Gracie getting angry. Sure I saw her get a little agitated at times but she could quickly laugh it off by turning the situation into a joke or just dealing with problems without getting stressed. My cousins and I were always trying to escape our parents to hang out with fun and exciting aunt Gracie. She was so awesome!
I hope you and your sister Maxine (my mother) are having a fantastic time up there with grand pa and grand ma. I am sorry for not getting my sons down to see you sooner. I will remember you and love you for eternity aunt Gracie. I pray that God anoints your soul with comfort and peace for eternity. I pray God welcomes your beautiful soul into heaven with all our beloved family. I will also pray that he gives you the organist position in heaven. ASAP!
Your loving nephew Sancho Rivera Valdez❤️
Aunt Gracie,
My first memories of you are from a time you played music at a place called Billy,s Boat House in Saugatuck, Michigan. A small intimate establishment located on the shores of Lake Michigan that served spirits and food for the boaters of Lake Michagan. Grand pa and grand ma lived in a town next door called Holland, Michigan. If my memory serves me correct, you played piano and sang for a Jazz Trio Band. I also saw you perform in Chicago, Illinoismwith grand pa Hector and grand ma Adela. We also attended my first play called EVITA with you, grand pa and grandma. The time frame is mid to late 1970s to early 1980s. I was 5 to 10 years old. Your younger sister Maxine (my mother) lived in Grand Rapids, Michagan 30 minutes inland. Yes so many memories we experienced together in Saugatuck and Holland from paddle boats, dunes, go carts, swimming pool, family dinners to you showing me how to make TUNA NOODLE CASEROLE and tuna patties. Thank you for watching me as a boy from time to time and being my aunt. Also thank you for giving me my second nick name (Sanch). My first nickname being Sonny from grand pa Hector. Lol
You see in my eyes aunt Gracie was the first celebrity, musician, superstar, extremely talented, cool, jazzy, artsy, Valdez regimented person I ever met. Her smoothness, gracefullness, eccentric lifestyle and her ability to perform the piano and sing angelically made her so cool to me as a boy. I remember seeing her picture on an 8 track tape. A true professional at her craft which has a lasting impression on me to this day. She was instrumental in me being Super Duper cool 😎 today and my ability to practice my crafts intentionally to achieve professional outcomes.
I had many memories but the most unique memory of aunt Gracie is I never in my lifetime remember my aunt Gracie getting angry. Sure I saw her get a little agitated at times but she could quickly laugh it off by turning the situation into a joke or just dealing with problems without getting stressed. My cousins and I were always trying to escape our parents to hang out with fun and exciting aunt Gracie. She was so awesome!
I hope you and your sister Maxine (my mother) are having a fantastic time up there with grand pa and grand ma. I am sorry for not getting my sons down to see you sooner. I will remember you and love you for eternity aunt Gracie. I pray that God anoints your soul with comfort and peace for eternity. I pray God welcomes your beautiful soul into heaven with all our beloved family. I will also pray that he gives you the organist position in heaven. ASAP!
Your loving nephew Sancho Rivera Valdez❤️
Grace made my valley nights magical with her talent and repertoire. My favorite song to request was Travel Light. She’d whisper swing to her drummer who was blind and he played in sync always. Rene accompanied well and his ad-lib was on time. Often times, when people made requests, Grace reached into her cart for one of her heavy 3 inch, 3-ring binders to prop open just so to the very song. These binders had the music & lyrics to countless songs but also her penciled in details that made her music magical.
I always came in early and often left when closing. I’d always sit at the piano either with my husband or my friends. I’ve been missing her way before her passing but I recall the warm feeling in my soul when she crooned. She’s irreplaceable. She’s unforgettable. To her family & friends, thank you for sharing her with the public; she made my life better with her music and talent. 💙🙏🏾
*****In the photo, actor Esai Morales with Grace & Rene Sandoval taken today…18 years ago. He was in town for a film festival and staying at the ES. What a great night!
Grace made my valley nights magical with her talent and repertoire. My favorite song to request was Travel Light. She’d whisper swing to her drummer who was blind and he played in sync always. Rene accompanied well and his ad-lib was on time. Often times, when people made requests, Grace reached into her cart for one of her heavy 3 inch, 3-ring binders to prop open just so to the very song. These binders had the music & lyrics to countless songs but also her penciled in details that made her music magical.
I always came in early and often left when closing. I’d always sit at the piano either with my husband or my friends. I’ve been missing her way before her passing but I recall the warm feeling in my soul when she crooned. She’s irreplaceable. She’s unforgettable. To her family & friends, thank you for sharing her with the public; she made my life better with her music and talent. 💙🙏🏾
*****In the photo, actor Esai Morales with Grace & Rene Sandoval taken today…18 years ago. He was in town for a film festival and staying at the ES. What a great night!
What a talent this lady was...Ms. Grace Valdez...she played with my dad Rene Sandoval for over 20 years at the Embassy Suites and all over the RGV and surrounding areas. When we would go hear them at the Embassy Suites, we would always try and sit at the piano bar and listen to how great she was. She also would play my favorite when I was there...a song from Basia, anyone. Being a daughter of very talented musicians, both my mom and dad, and not being one...well I was jealous of her. But it was a good jealous. I always wanted to be what she was, a singer, a musician, but it wasn't meant to be for me. Rest in Peace Grace. I am sure you are gigging with Jim and Javier right now🙏
Bridget (Sandoval) and Ruben Maldonado
What a talent this lady was...Ms. Grace Valdez...she played with my dad Rene Sandoval for over 20 years at the Embassy Suites and all over the RGV and surrounding areas. When we would go hear them at the Embassy Suites, we would always try and sit at the piano bar and listen to how great she was. She also would play my favorite when I was there...a song from Basia, anyone. Being a daughter of very talented musicians, both my mom and dad, and not being one...well I was jealous of her. But it was a good jealous. I always wanted to be what she was, a singer, a musician, but it wasn't meant to be for me. Rest in Peace Grace. I am sure you are gigging with Jim and Javier right now🙏
Bridget (Sandoval) and Ruben Maldonado
One of the most talented piano players I ever worked with has died this week, Ms. Graciela "Grace" Valdez. She played with me at the Embassy Suites for more than two decades, and we had some great times. As most exception musicals are, Grace was a little eccentric but an excellent pianists and vocalist. A great talent! I enjoyed working with her because we had the same taste in music, and I will miss her greatly. She was unique and in a class all by herself. - Rene Sandoval Sr.
One of the most talented piano players I ever worked with has died this week, Ms. Graciela "Grace" Valdez. She played with me at the Embassy Suites for more than two decades, and we had some great times. As most exception musicals are, Grace was a little eccentric but an excellent pianists and vocalist. A great talent! I enjoyed working with her because we had the same taste in music, and I will miss her greatly. She was unique and in a class all by herself. - Rene Sandoval Sr.
