Man, some stories just hit different.
This one’s about a 16-year-old who packed more life into her years than most pack in decades.
Who Was Valerie?
Picture this:
- Straight-A student at Smithtown High East
- Twin sister who made Laurie laugh daily
- Runner who left it all on the track
- Singer who made choir sound better
- Field hockey player who never quit
The School Star
Val didn’t just go to school – she owned it:
- Three honor societies (Music, French, Social Studies)
- Almost hit National Honor Society
- Perfect grades while playing sports
- Already knew she wanted to be a pharmacist
More Than Grades
Look, she wasn’t just book smart:
- Made All County Choir twice
- Crushed it in Varsity Winter Track
- Dominated Spring Track meets
- Led her field hockey team
The Fun Side
Off the field, Val was just:
- A girl who loved a good book
- A baker who made killer cookies
- A skier who loved fresh powder
- A daughter who made family time count
Quick Facts About Valerie Kratochvil
What happened? She left us March 4, 2024.
Who’s missing her most? Parents Margaret and Kenneth, twin Laurie, and pretty much all of Smithtown.
How can we help? There’s a GoFundMe running.
What Her Teachers Say
“Best kind of student – smart but humble.”
“Always helped others get it.”
“Made every class better by being there.”
What Her Teammates Remember
“First to practice.”
“Never too tired to cheer you on.”
“Team player, through and through.”
For Smithtown High East
She left behind:
- A choir missing its star
- Teams missing their MVP
- Classes missing their ace
- Friends missing their rock
Local Sport Scene Links
- NY High School Athletics Updates
- Long Island Field Hockey News
- School Sports Hall of Fame
- Track and Field Records
The Lessons from Valerie Kratochvil Obituary
Val taught us:
- Time’s short – use it well
- Help others win
- Study hard, play harder
- Love your people now
Community Support
Want to honor Val?
- Support school sports
- Back music programs
- Help young scholars chase dreams
- Keep memories alive
This Valerie Kratochvil obituary tells us what we already knew – the best ones leave too soon.
