Valerie Bailey

Valerie Bailey SOUTH CHARLESTOWN — Valerie Bailey, 65, of South Charlestown, passed away peacefully in her home on Oct. 11, 2019, after a nearly three-year battle with cancer. Valerie is survived by her loving husband Michael Gallagher; her three children, Jeremy Shand, Jamie Shand and wife Christee, and Jessie Proulx and husband Todd; stepson Joshua Gallagher and wife Katie; her six grandchildren, Nina Shand, Dylan Sordiff-Shand, Aurora Proulx, Stephen Proulx, Piper Proulx and Olliver Shand; and her mother Gertrude Bailey-Byrnes; as well as her eight siblings and their respective families. Valerie began her career in 1978 with The Student Conservation Association. She spent nearly 37 years helping to protect and preserve our National Parks and create developmental programs to help the next generation step up and protect our environment. In 2015, she struck out on her own and created Crossroads Consulting. She used her deep knowledge base of business and the nonprofit world to help smaller nonprofit companies succeed. Valerie held a deep passion for everything in her life. From raising her children, to fighting for the environment, to developing ways for our youth to grow into responsible adults who can be entrusted with our world moving forward. Valerie was so many things to so many people: Mom, mentor, CEO, wife, Nana, consultant, friend, confidant, just to name a few. She always managed to make each of these as important as the next but not make any of them seem less important than the others. One of the most remarkable traits Valerie possessed was her ability to bring levity and humor into any situation. From the smiles and laughter she could pull from even the angriest of grandchildren to removing tension from a conference room with a well-placed quip. Her life revolved around “we” and “us” and rarely included “I” or “me.” She was selfless and had a strength/resolve that could not be matched. She never backed down from a challenge and though she traveled the world, she always kept her roots and family close to her heart. It is nearly impossible to measure her impact on the world and everyone whom she came in contact with. She will be missed by so many but never forgotten. Visiting hours will be held at the Charlestown Memorial Chapel, 34 Main St. in Charlestown on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following, a celebration of life will be held at Trapshire, 1434 Bellows Falls Road in Charlestown, from 1 to 5 p.m. All are welcome to join us and celebrate the life of this amazing woman. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Chill Foundation (www.chill.org) or Pathfinder Outdoor Education (www.pathfinderoutdooreducation.org) would be appreciated. Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad St., Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.