Bertha Elizabeth "G.G." Valek, 99, formerly of Ford City, died Friday at the Armstrong County Health Center, Kittanning.

Born Jan. 6, 1907, in Ford City, she was the daughter of Joseph and Magdalene Saranicz Novak.

She had worked in lingerie at Flynn's department store, where she was hired partly for her ability to understand and translate the many ethnic languages spoken by store customers.

In the mid 1950s, she and her husband bought and operated Valek's Meat Market in Ford City, which was known for home-style ham salad made with her secret receipt and its penny candy assortment. They retired from the store in the 1970s.

She also was a homemaker, enjoyed decorating her home, knitting, tatting, crocheting, cooking and baking.

Mrs. Valek was a member of the Holy Trinity Church, Ford City. She also belonged to the Ford City Senior Center and enjoyed playing 500 bid.

Surviving are two daughters, Geraldine "Jeri" Vidunas of Rimersburg and Esther McGrath McCorry of Butler; 19

grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.Her husband, Joseph "Keets" Valek, whom she married June 6, 1928, died in July 1988. She also was preceded in death a son, two great-granddaughters and five siblings.

<B>VALEK</B> — Friends of Berta Elizabeth Valek, who died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the<B> Mantini Funeral Home</B>, 701 Sixth Ave., Ford City.A prayer for the transfer of the deceased will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home<B>.</B>A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ Prince of Peace Church, Ford City, with the Rev. Edward Lewis officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Ford City.