Valerie Lucy Dolezal

Harriet Lucy Dolezal, known as “Valerie” to friends, died on Friday, July 5, 2019. Born in Manor Park, England on April 7, 1925, she was the wife of the late Augustin F. (Gustav) who died in 1984, president of Bata Shoe Co., Belcamp, MD.

During World War II, when she was 17 – joined ENSA (Entertainment National Service Association) took the stage name of “Valerie.” She was one of six girls who entertained and played in a band for the British and American troops. Her travels took her to many countries including Lahore, Pakistan, where she met and married Gustav, a Czechoslovakian. She led a very exciting life, meeting and entertaining many interesting people, The Queen of England, Shah of Iran, President of Pakistan, and Helen Keller. When she married, she was 21, and he was 33, a widower and they lived in Pakistan for over twenty years until a transfer brought them to the U.S.A. in 1961. Her ENSA entertainment years brought about travels on various military aircraft and ships which were being chased by Nazi U-boats submarines.

Valerie is survived by four children; daughter, Maria Nordell (Frank) of Perryman, Md., son, Augustin(Austin) Dolezal of Taiwan, son, Simon Dolezal of Wynnewood, PA and Mark Dolezal (Lisa) of Churchville, Md.; former daughter-in-law, Barbara Dolezal of Ocean View, DE; six grand-children, Valerie Heckman (Paul), Justin Chumbler, Jonathan Dolezal, Rachel Dolezal, Austin Dolezal, and Ethan Dolezal; and great-grandchildren David Fuller, Tyler Fuller, an Alexandra Fuller.