Valerie Wingate

It is with great love and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Valerie Louise Old Wingate, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, who departed this life on June 9, 2025, just days after celebrating her 88th birthday. She passed peacefully in her sleep on the morning of June 9, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion.

Valerie was a remarkable woman—fiercely intelligent, endlessly compassionate, and unwaveringly strong. She was devoted to her husband of 40 years, Roger Wingate, their four children, and every animal in need of rescue. Her heart was boundless, and her love unconditional.

Born on May 25, 1937, in Brooklyn, Valerie was raised in Bay Ridge, where she attended P.S. 102, the same school her parents had once attended. She graduated from Fort Hamilton High School and began her college education at Wagner Lutheran College (now Wagner College).

After her first year of college, Valerie met Roger Wingate, and the rest, as she often said, was history. They were married on November 28, 1959, in Bay Ridge and built a loving home together, raising their family in a loving atmosphere filled with warmth, wit, and wonderful stories.

Valerie and her mother, Natalie, shared a quiet resilience and inner strength that carried them through life’s greatest challenges, including surviving war and hardship. That same resilience defined how Valerie loved and cared for her family, friends, and the countless animals she nurtured over the years.

Valerie lived a full and vibrant life that began as an only child which blossomed into a large, loving, and ever-growing family, of whom she was the proud and protective matriarch. She was a force of nature—strong, independent, and fiercely protective of those she loved. Valerie had a unique gift for welcoming everyone into her home and heart, treating each person as if they were part of the family, whether related by blood or the bonds of friendship.

An avid animal lover and dedicated rescuer, Valerie had a lifelong passion for dogs. She became a respected breeder of English Setters and achieved one of the highest honors in the field—winning Best in Show at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show—a testament to her dedication, expertise, and commitment for the breed.

Her compassion extended beyond the show ring, as she provided a safe haven for countless animals throughout her life. Her home was always filled with wagging tails and joyful hearts.

Valerie was also a talented and prolific artist. Her creativity knew no bounds, and her artwork will continue to inspire and bring beauty into the world. She drew her children, dogs, houses, and more, in various mediums- her favorites were pastels and needlepointing. She needlepointed all her 13 grandchildren beautiful Christmas stockings of her own creative designs. She gifted countless friends drawings of their beloved pets and homes.

Her love of life extended to her social nature—she was always at the center of gatherings, bringing people together with warmth, laughter, and love. Whether hosting a family dinner, organizing a celebration, or simply welcoming all visitors with open arms, Valerie made everyone feel at home.

She never backed down from a challenge and faced life’s ups and downs with toughness and grace. Her strength and resilience will forever be an example to all who knew her.

We will miss our beloved matriarch deeply—her smile and laughter, stories, sound advice, boundless generosity, and most of all, her love. Her presence in our lives was a gift. We don’t yet know how we will move forward without her, but we know that we will carry her with us, always. She will be forever missed and remembered with love, every single moment.

Valerie is survived by: Her four children and their spouses Kendra (Daniel), Brett (Nikki), Jason, and Tate (Jennifer); her grandchildren Britton, Barrett, Taylor, Bowen, Ashton, Amber, Skylar, Shaylor, Cailey, Casey, Hudson, Chase, and Torin; and her great grandson Blake. She often reflected and proudly said, of our extra large and very close family, “All because two people fell in love!”

Services will be held on Monday June 16, 2025 at 11AM in the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, 1045 Old Academy Road, Fairfield, CT, followed immediately by the burial at Oaklawn Cemetery, 1530 Bronson Road, Fairfield, CT. From there, we welcome all to come celebrate Valerie’s life, at the home of Brett and Nikki Wingate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Valerie’s memory to either a beautiful Wingate Family dogwood tree we are purchasing, and will be planting in her name, at our lovely Greenfield Hill Congregational Church Memorial Garden, as they celebrate their 300 year anniversary. Donations for this will be handled by her Grandson Barrett, Owner of Bollinger Landscaping, 203.726.0232 or donate to your favorite Animal Rescue Organization, a cause close to her heart.

Her legacy of love, strength, compassion, creativity, and lifelong devotion to her family and animals will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. God Bless and keep her.