Elizabeth Valis, 96, of Manahawkin and later Holiday City West in Berkeley Township, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, at Avantara care facility in Groton, SD, with family at her side. In recent years she lived with her daughter in Aberdeen, SD.
Born in Hoboken, NJ, Elizabeth dedicated her life to education and faith. She taught for many years at Waretown Elementary School, where she guided and inspired her students with patience and care. She was also a lifelong active member of the Greek Orthodox Church, living her faith through service and commitment to her community.
Elizabeth will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, compassion, and sense of humor. Her warmth touched everyone who knew her, from her family and students to her friends in the church.
She was preceded in death by her husband Peter Valis, her parents Anastasio and Maria Dokianos, her sister Krisanthe Borg, and her granddaughter Angel. She is survived by her children Joanne Nemmers and her husband Steven of Aberdeen, SD, Mary Ellen Janssen and her husband Eric of Denton, TX, and Thomas Valis of Toms River, NJ. She is survived as well by her grandchildren Sarah, Marie, Rachel, Jessica, Peter, and Jacob. Her great-grandchildren are Nathan, Daniel, Reagan, Ryan, Jack, and Alexandria. She is also remembered with love by her nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 Saint Catherine Boulevard, Toms River, NJ. Funeral services will follow on Friday, October 3, at 10:00 AM at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 2200 Church Road, Toms River, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Elizabeth’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Aberdeen Area Humane Society in Aberdeen, SD, or a charity of your choice.
Elizabeth Valis will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend. Her faith, kindness, and love for family and community remain her enduring legacy.