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Valenda APPLEGARTH Obituary
After graduating from the University of Michigan, she attended Lansing Cooley Law School, then worked in Detroit before moving to Boston, where she used her law degree to help women in difficult situations through her work at Greater Boston Legal Services. She trained extensively on victim relocation, privacy, child custody jurisdiction and other related legal issues throughout the U.S. As a Senior Staff Attorney, she founded the nation's first Relocation Counseling Project and represented victims of sexual and domestic violence for more than 20 years. She shared her knowledge and expertise speaking at conferences around the country. In 2016, she received the Gail Burns-Smith Excellence in Victim Services Award.
Valenda was an avid cyclist and took a part-time job working at a local bicycle shop to stay in touch with her passion for biking. She had a tradition of biking long distances for charity rides and participated in Cycle Oregon bike rides. She dearly loved her family, often meeting up with them to camp in the summer and to spend time in the winter at Cudjoe Key, FL. Despite being a longtime Marblehead resident, she loved and celebrated her Michigan roots. Her ferry commute to Boston was a source of great pleasure and she developed friendships with her fellow travelers.
A kind, generous woman who dedicated her life to helping others, she will be remembered for her quick wit, her vibrant personality and her deep compassion for the human condition.
She leaves her mother, Eleanor M. Applegarth; her sister, Jerel M. Bathrick (Daniel); nieces, Kendra Anderson (Jason) and Kiley Brown (Danny) and their families. She was predeceased by her father, Gerald Applegarth; and her sister, Kimberly.
Donations can be made to the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Valenda APPLEGARTH
Christine Pate
April 3, 2025
I knew Valenda through her amazing work with survivors over many years. I was so sad to see that she had passed. She was the "go to" person for relocation and I frequently called her when we had a difficult case. Her knowledge was deep and she was always incredibly generous and patient with her time. She came to Alaska many years ago to train and it was great spend time with her in person. What a sad and unfortunate loss - my condolences to her family.
Carla (Johnson)Christianson
April 3, 2025
Oh I loved my friend Valenda! We were so close in junior high. I was so saddened to see she had passed. Love to the family.
Merri
March 14, 2025
I was fortunate enough to have known Valenda for over 20 years though our mutual work with survivors of domestic violence and stalking. Her expertise went beyond anyone else's knowledge in the field around relocation and identity change at that time. We worked to assist so many survivors I could not keep count. We presented together, shared knowledge and learned from one another as the years went on. I will miss Valenda's kindness, wit, and willingness to go beyond where all others would stop. I miss her already even though I just found out about her passing today.
Condolences to her family and friends far and wide. Valenda was one of a kind. She leaves a hole in our community.
John Bonner
February 24, 2025
She was a good friend, and we shared a love of bikes. Latterly would stop by to see how she was doing. I´ll miss her.
Susan Gallup Godfrey
February 14, 2025
I was saddened to hear yesterday that Valenda has passed on. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. I was a neighbor and childhood friend of Valenda's in Muskegon, Michigan. I have fond memories of our friendship and of all the fun we had: making forts, picnic lunches, fishing Mona Lake on a neighbor's dock, swimming, Halloween costume parades with our siblings, listening to Bobby Sherman, and our pet bunnies. I recall sitting with Valenda while she practiced the piano. I understand from a classmate that Valenda was a great pianist. Valenda was on my mind recently and I had hoped to see her at our 50th class reunion this summer. Valenda certainly led a very fulfilling and accomplished life, not many would dedicate their career to helping so many women. Undoubtedly, Valenda's service made a huge difference in their lives. Rest in peace Valenda.
Jessie Mindlin
February 3, 2025
I met Valenda through our mutual work on behalf of survivors, but she quickly became so much more than a work colleague. We would often meet up at state and national conferences and enjoy hours of conversation. She would visit us when she came west for bike rides (or to boost her Alaska Airline frequent flyer status at the end of the year!), and she got to know my kids and family. She was especially excited as they each took to the unicycle. Valenda and I would sometimes go on bike rides together about the city. She was always pitching some new bike idea for me to consider. (We also loved to window shop for Danskos and other shoes. We had a shared affinity for comfortable (but in our minds still quite stylish) footwear.) Valenda taught me that when asking where in Michigan someone was from, the correct thing to do was to hold up my left hand as a template for the region. We continued to enjoy lengthy phone conversations long after she left GBLS. How I will miss hearing her say, "Oh Jessie! It's sooo good to hear your voice" each time I called. I'm grateful for her years of friendship.
Dan Shuman
January 29, 2025
Valenda was a good friend. She started as a customer and then one day asked if I could teach her how to work on her bike in exchange for her helping at Salem Cycle. She really loved talking to the customers. Sometimes I had to tell her she was talking to much and not actually selling them anything. But she loved to talk and always asking questions to better her understanding. I am sorry I didn't come to visit this last couple of months. I am going to miss you.
Linda Lank
January 28, 2025
I extend my deepest sympathies to Valenda's family and friends on her untimely loss. I was so very sorry to learn of her passing. Valenda and I worked together at Greater Boston Legal Services for several years, and from our working relationship on grant reports, a friendship grew. I always enjoyed out chats on myriad topics. These always included our cats. When we last spoke a few months ago, we talked about getting together in person again, which we had not done since before COVID. I will always regret not having another conversation with her and enjoying a cappuccino together. I know well how dedicated she was to her clients and what a wonderful co-worker and friend she was.
Rest in peace, my dear Valenda. To her family and friends, as you mourn her loss, I hope you will find comfort in happy memories of Valenda.
Michael H Silverman
January 27, 2025
Valenda was a special friend. We bonded over bicycling, but I came to appreciate her commitment to social justice, her clients, and the community. I will miss her.
Meghan Thomas
January 27, 2025
I missed Valenda very much since she´s been away. We shared an interest in addressing domestic violence as it occurs online which. She showed me all the ways she was an innovator in that world specifically and it was very inspiring to see how she made her own way in that world. She was fun to talk to! Our 30 minute meetings were never just 30 minutes because she loved to talk and share her experiences in the field with me. I will continue to miss her presence.
Monica Halas m
January 27, 2025
My deepest condolences to Valenda´s family. All of us who worked with Valenda at Greater Boston Legal Services were so fortunate to have Valenda in our lives. Her wit, dedication, intelligence and commitment were an inspiration.
Susan Kemp
January 26, 2025
I was fortunate enough to call her a friend for nearly ten years. Her desire to help was just the hugest part of who she was. The world is definitely a lesser place without her. She will be missed.
Jim Boudreau
January 25, 2025
A unique and infectious Spirit. The world is lessened by her passing but we are grateful for the blessings she bestowed when she was with us.
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