‘Painting’ the town with blue ribbons to remember and honor Smithtown East student

The PTSA at Smithtown East High School is leading an effort this weekend to honor a National Honor Society student who died unexpectedly on Monday.

Together with Lake Avenue Floral & Home Shoppe in St. James, PTSA members are memorializing Valerie Kratochvil by hanging light blue ribbons at the high school, at The Holy Cross Church, along Terry Road, near her home and at St. James Episcopal Churchyard Cemetery, where interment will take place Monday afternoon following a funeral Mass for Kratochvil.

A high school junior who was a straight-A student and played field hockey and ran track, Kratochvil, 16, had aspired to go to college and become a pharmacist.

Since her death, the community has rallied in support of her parents and twin sister, contributing more than $35,000 to a GoFundMe effort to help offset funeral costs and other expenses for the family. Friends have established a Meal Train to provide nutritious meals to the family in the coming weeks.

“Please DO NOT hesitate to get the light blue ribbons and start tying them everywhere,” the PTSA said in a Facebook post. “Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated!”

Visitation for Kratochvil at St. James Funeral Home is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. on both days. The funeral home is located at 829 Middle Country Road in St. James.

A funeral Mass for Kratochvil will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 11, at the Parish of The Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 95 Nichols Road in Nesconset.

Kratochvil is survived by her parents, Margaret and Kenneth, and her twin sister, Laurie.

According to obituary information published by St. James Funeral Home, she is also survived by her aunt Susan and uncle Scott Sedacca; cousins, David and Kristen Sedacca; uncle Ken Fee; cousin Kerry Fee; uncle Peter Fee; aunt Anne (Fee) and Ray Redeman; cousins Jessica and Kaitlyn Redeman; uncle Anthony and aunt Donna (Kratochvil) Termini; cousins Bella, Joey and Lucy Termini; aunt Mildred and uncle Phil Musco.

_{Top photo: Facebook}