Emily Andrea von Hinckeldey (Valdez)

Emily von Hinckeldey passed away from cancer on June 30, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by family.

Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1964 to Patty Groening and Chris von Hinckeldey, she spent her early years in Boston, Massachusetts and Plainfield, Vermont, moving back to Portland in 1975, where she attended Chapman Elementary School, Catlin Gabel School, and Lincoln High School.

After high school, she lived in Cannon Beach, Oregon, Los Angeles and Haleiwa, Hawaii. She married Frank Valdez in Portland, Oregon in 1999 and they had two children, Christopher and Celeste.

Emily was a gifted artist and enjoyed, as she liked to say, “long walks on the concourse (of concert venues)”  She craved the chance to see live performances. When not uplifted by music, she shared stories of living in coastal places and taking every opportunity to meet impressive people.

She is survived by her children, Celeste and Christopher; ex-husband Frank; father, Chris von Hinckeldey; sister, Kate Werdebaugh (Todd); uncles and aunts, Mark Groening, Matt Groening (Agustina), Lisa Groening and Maggie Groening (Potter Palmer); and many cousins.

Emily was preceded in death by her mother, Patty Groening.

Remembrances can be made to the Cancer Research Institute or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emily Andrea von Hinckeldey (Valdez), please visit our floral store.