Valerie Katherine Healey

PORTLAND – Valerie Katherine Healey, 76, passed away Sunday April 27, 2025, as a result of a progressive decline with Dementia.

Born May 11, 1948, to Marion and Wayne Healey of Winthrop, Maine, Valerie graduated from Winthrop High School in 1966 and went on to the Farmington State Teacher’s College where she obtained a teaching degree in Elementary and Special Education. She went on to receive her Master’s degree from UMO.

Val was a proud member of Phi Nu Omega Sorority where she formed lifelong friendships and “sisters”, particularly with Heidi Peterson, Reggie (Jim) Minot, Judy Ward, Cyndi (Tom) Cowland , Debbie Peterson, “Muffy” Martha (Tim) Kelly, and many others. A special thanks to her sorority sisters and co teachers, Claire (David) Ruthenburg and Colleen, for their loyal presence in her life to the end.

Valerie spent more than 38 years teaching in the Bangor and Portland school’s special education department and as an elementary classroom teacher where she implemented a “hands on” method of teaching by engaging children in projects, field trips and experiential learning and would often bring her classroom to life with terrariums, critters and often brought the outdoors into the classroom. Val created the first outdoor education classroom and trail for the Lyseth Elementary School to get children outside learning and exploring.

Valerie was extremely talented in the Creative Arts where she built her own home pottery studio and created many pottery pieces, jewelry and paintings. Valerie was also a talented chef, a culinary artist and a skilled gardener. She enjoyed the culture of the Portland area and enjoyed attending musicals, concerts, art shows, museums, etc.

Like Valerie’s mother, she found great purpose in volunteering and giving back to her community and spent her retirement working with the Portland Adult Education Literacy program, mentoring children in the community as well as volunteering extensively for the Portland Trails system.

Valerie is survived by her partner of 34 years, Lois Winter; her sisters Jan Healey-Bopp, Jill (Frank) Michaud, Susan (Dick) Guerette, family friend David (John) Maxwell, special friend and “fourth sister” Heidi Peterson Rogers; niece Morgan (Walter) Polky and nephews Douglas (Julie) Guerette, Bennett (Kristin) Guerette, Ritter (Taylor) Healey-Bopp; five grandnephews Adrien, Connor, Ryan, Leo, Otto, and five grandnieces Isabel, Sadie, Sybil, Emily and Isla, whose events Val loved attending and always looked forward to spending special holiday’s with.

Family and Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Tuesday May 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Weathervane Restaurant 1030 Main St. Readfield, Maine.