Valerie Goldfein, our beloved H.O.W. Board Member and Luncheon Chairwoman, passed away in her sleep on November 13, 2022. She is survived by her husband of 55 years Bob, her three children John, Doug and Maggie, and her five grandchildren Jake, Phoebe, Lucas, Charlotte and Lindsey.
Valerie's happiest moments were spent with her family delivering joy and cheer. She reveled in their achievements and successes. But Valerie had another passion. She was determined to help women with gynecological cancer. You see, Valerie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and felt the isolation that accompanies this disease. With that in mind she founded a program called Women to Women at Mt. Sinai Hospital which is committed to providing support for women coping with a diagnosis of gynecological cancers. Valerie worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the program. Today the charity operates in thirty-three hospitals across the country as well as several overseas. For her efforts she has been the recipient of many acknowledgements including being named woman of the year by The New York Times.
Valerie grew up in Lawrence, New York and graduated from Finch College. She was an advertising editor at Art Gallery Magazine and a volunteer on many committees including rebuilding a playground at the Mount Sinai Surgical ICU and served on the Pediatric Pulmonary Board as well as Capital Campaign co-chair for the Ethical Culture School.
In 2018 Valerie was Chairwoman of the annual Time is of the Essence Luncheon, which was highly successful under her leadership. H.O.W. is most grateful for her involvment and continues to miss her smile, spunk, drive, and determination.
