Valerie Wilder Gage

Valerie Wilder Gage

October 27, 1935 – December 26, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Valerie “Val” Wilder Gage, age 89, on December 26, 2024. She passed away peacefully in Georges Mills, NH, her eldest son at her side, after a long-time struggle with lymphoma. 

Born on October 27, 1935, in Elizabeth, NJ, Val was the eldest of three children born to Charmian and Lawrence Gilman. In 1958 she graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in art. She spent her youth in New Jersey, her teenage years in Oregon, and her later years in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Most recently, she enjoyed living at Sunapee Cove. She was passionate about the outdoors, art, and history. Spending every summer at her family home on Lake Sunapee, Val was an avid swimmer, member of the Yacht Club and a devoted nature enthusiast. 

In 1958, Val married and adjusted to the role of a homemaker while raising her three sons. Later, she worked at Southwood Community Hospital in Norfolk, MA as part of the food services department.

She loved traveling, visiting museums, listening to classical music, attending church, reading books to her grandchildren, and surrounding herself with shades of her favorite color, purple. Val will be remembered for her kindness, wit, wisdom, love of language, thoughtful gift-giving and deep appreciation for Lake Sunapee.

Valerie is predeceased by her son, Aaron Gage, brother, Nicholas Gilman, and daughter-in-law, Tori Gage, and is survived by sons, Chetwood Gage and Lindsey Gage (daughter-in-law Kristen Gage); grandchildren: Woodruff Gage, Ethan and Lauren Gage, great-grandchildren Felix and Viola Gage, and sister, Charmian “Chachee” Gilman and many other extended family members who will continue to share stories of her life and adventures.

A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 25, 2025  at Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London, NH. A social gathering will continue directly following at the New London Inn.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the LSPA in honor of her love for the beauty and preservation of the lake.