Valerie Kocher

 Valerie Kocher, 54, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Valerie was born on October 12, 1970, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

It would be impossible to sum up Valerie's life in a few paragraphs, a few pages, or even in a few books. She was a woman not merely of multiple facets, but of multiple dimensions.

In the 1990s, one of Valerie's earliest jobs where she continued to develop her love of cooking and aptitude of dealing with the general public was at the Clam Bar in South Philadelphia. She was on her feet for hours at a time preparing seafood, shucking clams, deveining shrimp, taking orders, and dealing with the late-night and after-hours public looking to get their grub on. On more than one occasion she had to explain that "asking for a dozen" means twelve (12) and that forgetting to leave your attitude at the door meant the food may end up on your face and clothes instead of on your plate!

Valerie was an accomplished business woman and an expert in her profession. She owned and operated her own venture in Philadelphia from the 1990s to the mid 2000s before a hiatus when leaving the city. In the late 2000s she came out of retirement in Philadelphia in full form. She mentored and trained many individuals who have gone on to their own success both in business and practice and touched the lives of many individuals over the decades who hold her in their heart to this day.

Valerie started a whole work from home business in the mid 2000s (before it was popular) when she lived in Chester County. She ran a successful Ebay store where she sold pet supplies, both general and specialized. During this time she also had a menagerie of sorts in her home with reptiles, chinchillas, and a beloved chihuahua named Potato.

Valerie prided herself in being a homemaker -- a domestic Goddess if you will. She loved cooking and baking. She was accomplished in many different cultures' foods: African, Caribbean, American Southern, Chinese, and Korean to name a few. She was always expanding her repertoire and kept notebooks filled with recipes she enjoyed making for herself and her loved ones.

Valerie had a nurturing spirit and that of a warrior. When she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Triple Negative Breast Cancer in October of 2021, she fought fearlessly alongside her oncology team, husband, family, and friends. The treatment plan was a success and she achieved remission from cancer in February, 2023 -- she defeated the two most aggressive forms of breast cancer.

Unfortunately she was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer in October, 2023. She again fought like Hell. Valerie passed away due to the progression of this cancer on December 8th, 2024 and had her husband, family, and friends by her side. She was at peace and free from pain.

Valerie is survived by her husband, Daniel Olsen; cat-son, Cellar; cat-daughter, Lilith; daughter, Kayla Garcia; grandson, Kaden Garcia; son, Jeffrey Kocher; brother, Zack Gilson; sister-in-law, Melanie Gilson; nephew, Harley Gilson; niece, Ari Gilson; and many other beloved family and friends.

A celebration of Valerie's life will be held at a date and time in January that is to be determined.

It was Valerie's hope to volunteer in some capacity at Jefferson Cancer Center to assist other people fighting cancer in whatever way she could. Please consider making a donation in loving memory of Valerie Kocher in support of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Innovation Fund at Jefferson Health. Donations can be made online at Jefferson.edu/GiveSKCC. Please click "select tribute" to acknowledge your gift in memory of Valerie Kocher. Donations sent via check may be made payable to "Jefferson," please note "In memory of Valerie Kocher" in the memo line and mail to "Office of Institutional Advancement," 1101 Market Street, 22nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.