Valerie E Silk's Obituary
Valerie E. Silk, 74, of Largo, Florida, went into the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 7, 2025.
Valerie was born on October 20, 1950 in St. Petersburg, FL. She is survived by her brothers John Silk, Jr. and Steve Silk (spouse Nancy), and her sisters Bonnie Rogers (spouse Glenn), Libby Barr (spouse George), Minnie Anderson (spouse Bob), and Ruth Harsham (spouse Doug). She was predeceased by her sister Dee Riber and parents John and Vivien Silk.
Valerie was a devoted member of Christ The King Presbyterian Church, Seminole, Florida, where she spent many very cherished years in community with the congregation serving in their prayer ministry and Bible study groups. Her time in that congregation was precious to her.
Her professional life was quite varied — starting out of high school as a switch board operator in the 1960’s in St. Petersburg, FL, backpacking across the country, ending up in Hawaii where she, and a partner opened a Nautilus gym.
Though not an athlete herself, it was her association with that gym which lead her into the world of triathlon races. In 1981, Valerie was established as Race Director and CEO of what became arguably one of the most famous international triathlon events in the world, The Ironman Championship. Throughout her time at the helm, Valerie exponentially grew and improved the race, ultimately selling the entity in 1990. In 1999 Valerie was inducted into the Ironman Hall Of Fame. She was beloved by the contestants during the years she presided, and was in contact with many of them until her passing.
Valerie brought her life full-circle in the early 1990’s when she chose to move back to her birthplace of St. Petersburg, FL to rejoin her many siblings and parents. She cared lovingly and selflessly for members of her family many years, finding fulfillment in caring for others in her life. She often stated that she would not have traded that opportunity for anything.
She worked briefly as a charitable events organizer for Suncoast Hospice as well as a brief employment at The Eye Institute in St. Petersburg and in her recent years she spent most of her time serving in her church leading a church-wide prayer ministry among many other engagements.
Valerie was an elegant, statuesque, woman with not only the leadership qualities and attention to detail that allowed her to form and grow a worldwide and currently running, well-respected triathlon, but contrasted those qualities with a sense of humility and a desire to serve others.
She was a devoted “dog mom” to four very spoiled and well-loved black Labs and two equally spoiled and loved cats. She was a hostess extraordinaire who made anyone entering her home feel as though the entire visit was tailored just to them and revolved around them — because it truly was. What a vastly talented woman.
Her passing leaves a deep void in the lives of those who knew her, but her example of faith, love of God, and a devotion to prayer carry on as an immeasurable inspiration.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to either Valerie's church, Christ the King Presbyterian Church or Suncoast Hospice.
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