Valeria Kuntz Symes passed away peacefully at home in Newport Beach, California, on December 15, 2012. Val was born October 6, 1921, in Forest Hill, New Jersey, the youngest of Albert and Jane Kuntz's three children. She and her brother Jack Kuntz (SPHS '37) and sister Janet Kuntz (SPHS '37) grew up in Bronxville, New York, but spent several winters in Pasadena, California, during Val's junior high school years. It was here that she met the love of her life and future husband, Bill Symes.

Val returned east to graduate from Bronxville High School in 1939 and Hollins College in 1943. Following college graduation, Val took a job with Time Magazine in New York City, while Bill was stationed with the 8th Air Force in England. When the war in Europe ended, Bill returned home to marry Val in 1945 in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The couple returned to California where Bill later joined his father in the automobile business in Pasadena. The growing Symes family made its home in Arcadia and spent summers in Newport Beach, where they moved permanently in 1980.

Val had a passion for travel, boats, beaches, dogs, and coffee ice cream. But most of all, she was passionate about her family, especially her husband of 67 years; sons Bill Jr. (LauraLee), John (Sue), Jim (Judy), and Peter; grandchildren Kate, Anna, John, Tim, Sam, Maggie, Joe, Matt, Andy, and Ben Symes, step-grandchildren Zac and Nicole Carman; and great-grandson Charlie Wolf. She was never happier than when surrounded by her children and grandchildren at the annual Symes family gathering at the Alisal Ranch. Val was the model of a loving and compassionate wife, mother, and grandmother, and a lasting inspiration to every member of her family.

Pasadena Star News, December 20, 2012