Edith Orbison

Edith Valiant Julier “Val” Orbison, 99, of Lewisburg, died Monday, February 24, 2025 at Oak Glen Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, formerly known as Riverwoods, Lewisburg.

Born November 30, 1925 in Manhattan, NYC, and raised in Chappaqua, she was the daughter of the late Henry and May Louise (Connor) Julier. On September 10, 1948 at St. Marks in Mount Kisco, she married Theodore Tucker Orbison, who preceded her death December 6, 2022. Together they celebrated 74 years of marriage.

Val was a 1943 graduate of the Dwight School, Englewood, NJ. She then graduated from Vassar College in 1947, where she majored in Zoology. She worked in New York City, but after she married Tuck, Val obtained her Master’s degree in Education from Bucknell University.

She and her family moved to Lewisburg in the early 1960’s, living in Linntown until moving to the historic district of Lewisburg on South Water Street. Val began her teaching career in the Lewisburg school system, teaching at the Southward Elementary from 1963-1965. She taught 5th grade reading and science in the Mifflinburg school system from 1965-1990. While teaching at Mifflinburg she started the outdoor education program, which has grown successfully. Wherever Val went she ran into former students who always spoke fondly of her. One of the highlights of her life was in 1969 when the entire family spent the year in London, England and then traveled Europe in a VW bus. Those were the memories of a lifetime!

Following retirement, Val found joy in volunteering. She would take her therapy dogs to Riverwoods once a week and helped with Meals on Wheels for many years. She loved the beach and time spent with her family on their boat in Cape Cod, Mass. Val and Tuck adored their Golden retrievers and their corgi, Louie. Val was a passionate seamstress and knitter, and knitted Christmas stockings for every single family member, which are cherished treasures. She was also an avid gardener with beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Val loved to cook and made the world’s best prime rib! She also loved to read and especially enjoyed reading a paperback on the back porch with a view of the Susquehanna River.

She was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Lewisburg.

Surviving are four children, Stephen, David, Kitsie and Michael; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a brother, Sam Julier.

A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg.