Born
in Botosáni, Romania, 1924, Valerie Miclea was only five years old
when her father, Georghe, who had earlier come to Canada in search of opportunities,
sent for his family to join him in Windsor, Ontario, where he had found
a job. Valerie’s destination was to become an executive secretary to mining
presidents at a time when Canada was a world leader in producing minerals.
She was Richard V. Porritt’s executive assistant, 1965-1974, when he was
President of Noranda Mines. Following an executive secretarial position
at Hawker Siddeley, Valerie was made executive assistant to President Alfred
Fairley when he guided Hollinger Mines Limited during the 1970s. Valerie
married Charles W. Clark, 1976, and retired, in 1979, as “executive assistant
top residents.” [Photo, courtesy Valerie Clark]