Valerie Fran Bordt Riecke

Valerie Fran Bordt Riecke

October 19, 1941 – July 25, 2026

Valerie Fran Bordt Riecke (age 84) passed away peacefully in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Valerie was born on October 19, 1941, in New York, New York, to Rose and John Bordt. She was the oldest of two daughters. She grew up a kid from the Bronx in every way: playing stickball in the street, walking down the avenue to shop, and being raised by every mother on the block. The city formed her, teaching her independence from a young age, resilience in the face of challenges, and an appreciation for the richness of diverse cultures, languages, foods, and traditions. Valerie remained deeply connected to her family and childhood friends. She spoke often of visiting her Italian grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

Valerie graduated from St. Gabriel High School in New Rochelle, New York, in 1959, where her curiosity, determination, and love of learning took root and became her foundation. She went on to study at the Latin American Institute in New York City and became fluent in Spanish, a skill that would shape both her professional career and the course of her life. She started her career in Manhattan, working for IBM. She was especially proud of her work as a translator at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, where she welcomed visitors from around the world. That experience opened the door to an exciting new adventure, which led her to move to Puerto Rico and eventually to Cuba with IBM. It was during this chapter that she met the love of her life, Robert Julian Riecke (Bob) of New Orleans, Louisiana. After knowing one another for only two weeks, they married and began an amazing life together that would last 35 years. They were blessed with two daughters, Valerie and Nicole, born a surprising 8.5 months apart. Over the years, the family made their home in the Bronx, New York and New Orleans, Louisiana, before settling down in Stone Mountain, Georgia, in 1976, where Valerie remained for the rest of her life.

For more than 50 years, Valerie was a faithful parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where she volunteered and gave generously of her time and talents. She was an active member of the Stone Mountain Woman’s Club, the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellog Library, the Stone Mountain Visitor Center, the Stone Mountain Historical Society, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store. A lifelong lover of books, Valerie was passionate about promoting literacy and supporting reading programs at nearby elementary schools. For many years, she volunteered as a tutor, helping children whose first language was Spanish develop their reading and language skills. Other causes close to her heart included nature conservation, historical preservation, and Eucharistic ministry. Valerie found great joy in making a difference in people’s lives.

Valerie was beautiful both inside and out. Her big smile, generous heart, and cheerful spirit made everyone feel special. She relished every opportunity to speak her second language and enjoyed conversing with people from all walks of life. She will be profoundly missed by her loving family, extended family, dear friends, and the many other lives she touched through her kindness, compassion, and genuine warmth.

Valerie was preceded in death by her devoted husband Bob, and by her beloved sister, Pamela Bordt Occhicone of Redding, Connecticut. She is survived by her daughters, Valerie Smith and her husband Brendan, and Nicole Polley and her husband Todd. She was the cherished “MawMaw” to her four grandsons, Camden Polley, Evan Polley, Kieran Smith, and Cullen Smith. She was greatly involved in each of their lives, attending sporting events, school activities, and other important milestones. No one cheered louder or loved more enthusiastically than MawMaw. And nothing brought Valerie greater joy than spending time with her daughters, sons-in-law, grandsons, and grandpuppies.

Visitation will be held at Wages & Sons Funeral Home at 1040 Main Street in Stone Mountain on Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass celebrating Valerie’s life will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 600 Mountain View Drive in Stone Mountain on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at Cherokee Rose Restaurant at 975 Main Street in Stone Mountain from 1 to 3 p.m.