St. Johnsville – Madaline Eugena (Jean) Van Valkenburg passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, New York. She was born on October 13, 1922 in Gilbertsville, New York to the late Vinton R. and Gertrude O. Pontius. She graduated from St. Johnsville Central School in 1940 and had planned to attend her 70th high school reunion dinner on Saturday August 7, 2010. She attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY and graduated in 1947 from the Eastman Dental Dispensary School of Dental Hygiene in Rochester, NY. She also obtained her Master’s Degree in Science and retired in 1978 after 25 years of teaching from Staley Jr. High School in Rome, NY. While at Hartwick College she met James F. Van Valkenburg and they were married on June 7, 1947. Before attending Hartwick College Jean entered the Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA in the dental corps. Jean was one of the many thousands of military personnel that passed through North Platte, Nebraska on a troop train. She, like many others, were greeted warmly with wonderful food and friendship provided by the citizens of North Platte. Jean enjoyed painting in watercolor, oil and acrylic and had placed her art work in a number of art shows. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading and traveling. She was a member of Grace Church, St. Johnsville, NY. Jean was a life member of the American Legion. She is predeceased by her husband, her parents and sister, D. June Sabin. She is survived by her daughter, Jayne E. (William) Novak. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce (Bernard) Ten Eyck, her brother, Robert (“Stevie”) Pontius and her nieces and nephews. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday August 9, 2010 from 4 to 8 pm at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville, NY. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 10, 2010 at 11:00 am at the funeral home with the Rev. Harry Teuchert officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Johnsville Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband.. In lieu of floral arrangements please make a donation in Jean’s memory to the American Legion Post #168, St. Johnsville, NY. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.