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September 15, 1953- November 19, 2013
Valerie Lynne Stephens of Mount Pleasant, Michigan died of cancer with her family at her side on the morning of November 19, 2013. Valerie was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Miami, Florida. While working at a state mental hospital in Virginia, she was inspired to study psychology. She earned a B.S. with highest distinction from the University of Virginia in 1982, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1985 and 1989. Valerie married Guy Newland of Richmond, Virginia in 1985. After Valerie's internship at the Indiana University Department of Psychiatry, she and Guy settled in Michigan where they raised their children Gabriel Newland and Rebecca Newland.
Valerie served central Michigan as a clinical psychologist in private practice for 25 years, working with adults, adolescents, and couples. After brief periods in Midland and Saginaw, she started her own practice in Alma. In 2004, she relocated this business to Mount Pleasant where it operated until the onset of her final illness in October 2012.
Valerie cared deeply for her clients and dedicated herself to helping them. She saw that child abuse and child neglect––including even well intentioned but misguided parenting––create a legacy of harm that is passed through generations. Vast needless misery could be avoided if adults would have children only when they are ready to attune themselves to their children's needs. Also, it was Valerie's conviction that it is healthy and natural to open our minds to all emotions, positive and negative, to feel fully both the pain and joy of life. The things we do to avoid or deny painful feelings cause much more harm than the feelings themselves.
In her personal life, Valerie was a good friend, devoted wife, wonderful and loving mother, avid reader, talented cook, world traveler, film buff, sports fanatic, and single malt connoisseur. She was a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan.
Valerie is survived by Guy Newland, her husband of 28 years, and by son Gabriel Newland, daughter Rebecca Newland, mother Gladys Stephens, and sisters Deborah Lucas and Cathy Watson. She is survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Preceding her in death was her dear younger brother, Kenneth Stephens, and her father, Herbert Stephens, of Silver Creek, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Valerie Stephens may be made to Listening Ear's Child Sexual Abuse Treatment endowment fund, earmarked specifically for that purpose and mailed to the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1283, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-1283. A memorial service is planned for January 25, 2014 at 2 PM at Clark Family Funeral Chapel.
You may view Valerie's obituary online and send a condolence to the family, light a memorial candle, or place a memorial donation at www.clarkfuneralchapel.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I miss you so much aunt Valerie...I cannot believe it has already been one year. I love you.
Peter Cabrera-Nguyen
November 18, 2014
I will always miss her....
Cheryll Nordin
November 14, 2014
Our thoughts are with you in this time of great loss. We look forward to a time when flowers bring smiles of memories past. When memories bring joy of a life well lived.
Rebecca, Terry, Gavin and Greyson Stockton
January 6, 2014
Our heartfelt condolences. Wishing you peace, love, and the joy of her life.
Michael and Margaret Erlewine
Michael and Margaret Erlewine
November 23, 2013
She saved so many.
Cheryll Nordin
November 22, 2013
Our deepest condolences to you Guy, and to Gabe & Becca. Love you all. God bless.
Mike & Debbie Lucas
November 22, 2013
Peter and I send our heartfelt condolences on Valerie's passing. You were blessed either a life with her for 28 years and we celebrate your life together. We also send all of our most sincere wishes for healing and love to you and your family on embarking on the next phase of your lives.
Luis Camach
November 22, 2013
Janet Simon
November 21, 2013
My heart feels for all of you at this great loss of your beloved mother and wife. May you find consolation and strength in the love you have for each other.
Lisa Schiller
November 21, 2013
We are so saddened to learn this. Our deepest condolences to you, Guy, and your family.
John and Nina
November 21, 2013
Dawn Daniels
November 21, 2013
Dear Guy:
My heart is with you. Take care of yourself.
Blessings,
Don Matthews
Don Matthews
November 21, 2013
Tamara Lawson
November 21, 2013
Our Hearts and Prayers are with the family at this time.
Mike McCrone
November 20, 2013
My condolences to the family of this wonderful woman. She helped me so much and I am sure so many others. What a legacy she leaves!
Kathy Kelly
November 20, 2013
Deepest Condolences to Guy, Gabe, Rebecca and Valerie's whole family.
John Wright
November 19, 2013
This is very sad news. Heartfelt condolences to Guy, Gabe and Rebecca. We will miss Valerie very much.
Naseem & Bob
November 19, 2013
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Clark Family Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service114 S. Bradley, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
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