Valerie M. Hodge

Valerie M. Hodge, 53, of East Stroudsburg, passed away Friday, July 1, at Pocono Medical Center.

Born on July 30, 1951, in Perth Amboy, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Evelyn A. (Carty) Hodge.

Valerie graduated from Adelphi University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history; and she earned a Master of Science in education from the State University of New York, Albany.

Before retiring in June, she was employed at East Stroudsburg University for the last 29 years. She started with ESU in 1976 as the assistant dean of students and director of orientation.

In 1986, Valerie was promoted to assistant vice president of Student Development. In 1991, she became the vice president of Student Affairs also serving are interim vice president for Finance and Administration. Valerie was committed to her students and loved working with them for many years and she will be missed greatly by all.

Valerie was very active in the community serving many organizations. She served for many years on the board of directors of Pocono Medical Center, and chaired the annual campaign in 1996. She also served as a board member of the Town Gown Community Relations committee and its chairperson; and was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Valerie was also a member of many other organizations including board member of the United Way, Planned Parenthood, Women's Resources, Scranton/Pocono Girl Scouts, Neighbors of Monroe County, and was a former advisor of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Chapter at ESU.

Valerie held many professional affiliations including American College Personnel Association, American Association of University Women, National Orientation Directors Association. She was also an honorary member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership, Phi Delta Kappa Education, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, National Residence Hall, and Alpha Phi Omega Service.

Valerie was also well loved in the community and was recognized for her outstanding service. She was awarded the East Stroudsburg University Alumni Association Award for outstanding minority administrator, Students Like You, Office of Disability Services, National Orientation Directors Association, President's Award, Women of Distinction Award, Perth Amboy High School Hall of Fame Education Award, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. University Award, Varsity "S" Award for commitment to intercollegiate athletics, and Center for Educational Opportunity Award.

Surviving are sisters, Dr. Donna L. Hodge of East Stroudsburg and Linda J. Hodge of Westlake Village, Calif.; five aunts, Millicent Hodge of Perth Amboy, N.J., Velodie Lake of Perth Amboy, N.J., Marceline Findlay of Long Island, N.Y., Millicent Abner of St. Martin, West Indies, and Winifred Hayott of Brooklyn, N.Y.; one uncle, Fred Miles of Brooklyn, N.Y.; one nephew, Chase Hodge of Westlake Village, Calif.; one cousin, Brett Lake of Cherry Hill, N.J.; and longtime family friend, Camille Sheridan. She was preceded in death by one sister, Cheryl Ann Hodge of Perth Amboy, N.J.

Valerie was of the Episcopal faith and a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Stroudsburg.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Abeloff Center for the Arts on the campus of East Stroudsburg University.

A second service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 183 Rector St., Perth Amboy, N.J.

A visitation for family and friends will take place from 6 p.m. until time of the services on Friday at Abeloff Center for the Arts at ESU.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 205 N. Seventh St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360; St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 183 Rector St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861; or Pocono Health Systems, Attn: Stephen J. Cunningham, Community Development, 206 E. Brown St., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.

Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home

This obituary was originally published in the Pocono Record.