Ms. Waltraud "Val" Siewers, 81, resident of Naples, FL, and Flat Rock, NC, peacefully passed away on May 20, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Otto Heinrich Karl Edelhoff and Hildegard Irene Edelhoff. Val was born January 21, 1944, in Hemer, Germany.

Val’s life was defined by her spirit and determination. From her education, career, to travel and hobbies, these characteristics enabled her to tackle any challenge she wanted to pursue. After moving to the United States as an adult, she quickly learned English and would eventually become a graduate of SUNY Brockport, later receiving a Masters in Instructional Technology from RIT. Val spent the entirety of her career in the healthcare field, retiring as the Director of Education for the then School of Radiologic Technology at The Genesee Hospital.

Always active and often outdoors, Val was once a pilot and enjoyed travel, gardening, tennis, pickleball, and the occasional kayak adventure. She was a prolific painter, a lifelong learner, and enjoyed hosting friends and family for meals, games, and more. Those family and friends were a central constant throughout her life, from friendships started in kindergarten to very recent ones with new neighbors and caregivers.

One of the most important relationships in her life was with her long-time partner, Dr. Robert Spataro. Together for more than 25 years, they invested deeply in each other, in their individual and shared passions and enjoyed so many happy years together.

Val is preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her long-time partner, Robert Spataro of Naples, FL, and her daughter Robin (Jim) Murchison of Apex, NC; grandchildren, Colin and Landon of Apex, NC; her two siblings, Oette (Martina) Edelhoff and Jutta Edelhoff of Germany; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, and friends, both long-time and newly made. She will be greatly missed.

The family will announce a celebration of life, to be held in Naples, FL, at a future time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Val to ALS United North Carolina or Duke Hospice.