Dr. Barbara H. Valerious, age 89, of Highland Park, IL, passed away peacefully on December 29th.

Born on May 31, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, Barbara was as committed to her family, and her community, as she was to her lifelong passion of educating young people and helping them achieve their dreams. 

Barbara was a graduate of: Chicago Teachers College – BA, University of Chicago – MA, Nova University Southeast – EdD

She was a former principal of: Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS), Ralph H. Metcalfe Magnet Elementary School, Thomas J. Higgins Elementary School. She held the distinction of being the youngest person to become a principal of a Chicago Public School. 

Barbara was an Adjunct Professor of Education at St. Xavier University in Chicago. She was a lifelong learner, attending the Graham School of Continuing Education at the University of Chicago – where she earned a four-year certificate. She was honored, as an “outstanding principal” by the Chicago Board of Education. During her tenure at CHSAS, the school was named as one of the ten top vocational high schools in the country, by the United States Department of Education, during the Clinton Administration.  

Barbara served as the president of the Homewood Library Board and was responsible for the construction of Homewood’s new library.

In 2006, Barbara moved to Highland Park, IL to be closer to her grandchildren.  While living in HP, she earned a master gardener certificate at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. 

She is survived by her children Rob (Randi) Valerious and Jeremy Valerious, her bonus children Edward Flam and Marylee Schneider, Brenda Flam and Leigh West, her five grandchildren Courtney (Kenny) Kendal, Sara (Cedric Gamble) Valerious, Max Valerious, Carly Valerious, and Adam Flam, her four great grandchildren Colton, Kennedy, and Raymond Kendal, and Wylder Gamble, as well as her sisters, Maura Carpenter and Hillary H. Hoban, her brother James Hoban, and a multitude of loving family members. 

She was preceded in death by her first husband Robert Valerious, and married her second husband, Eric Flam, enjoying the last 15 years of their lives together.  

A service honoring her life will take place January 5 at 2:00 at Am Shalom, 840 Vernon Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to anyone of the following: The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), Chicago, IL, Behavioral Health Innovation and Dissemination Center/Mental Health Access Fund - Mental Health Access Fund at BHIDC (A clinic at the University of Utah), Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Carbondale CO, Countryside Montessori School Inc.  Northbrook, IL. Arrangements By Ner Tamid Funerals 847-504-7336 or www,NTFunerals.com