Valentina Makarova Whitehead

06/30/2007

Valentina Makarova Whitehead, 20, of Alford Road, died of cancer Saturday at home. Born in Lodeynove Pole, Russia, on Nov. 25, 1986, she lived in Russia until being adopted by Peter and Jean Mercier Whitehead in 1996, at which time she moved to Great Barrington. She attended the former Bryant Elementary School, the former Stockbridge Plain School, the Rudolf Steiner School, Marvelwood School in Kent, Conn., and was a 2006 graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School. Miss Whitehead was employed as a ski instructor at Ski Butternut from 2004 to 2007. She also worked at the former Verdura Restaurant. Besides skiing, she enjoyed playing soccer. She played for the Berkshire Hills League U-12 and U-14 soccer teams. She also was on the soccer and ski teams at Marvelwood School. In 2004, she was first-place female in the Berkshire Hudson Ski Racing League; she also raced for the Butternut Race Team in the Tri State League. Besides her parents, of Great Barrington, Miss Whitehead leaves a brother, Yuri R. Whitehead of Great Barrington; and her paternal grandmother, Hope L. Whitehead of Guilford, Conn. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The family of Valentina Makarova Whitehead, who died Saturday, June 30, 2007, will receive friends Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at FINNERTY AND STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Livestrong Challenge, (to fund cancer research), through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevensfuneralhome.com. In 2004, Miss Whitehead participated in a trip to Panama with her science class from Marvelwood School, studying the rain forest, Panama Canal and Embera Indian culture. She also leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

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