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Marigene Valiquette Obituary
Former Toledo State Senator Marigene Valiquette died Tuesday, August 6, 2024, just 16 days short of her 100th birthday.
Senator Valiquette was a respected and powerful legislator representing Toledo in both the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate, and is the longest serving woman in the history of the Ohio Legislature serving 24 consecutive years.
She was known for her strong record of advocacy for women and children, as well for issues supporting the labor movement. She was co-author of legislation that created the Ohio Lottery in support of education and a moving force in the push for the Equal Rights Amendment for women. She was a champion for the working underclass. The Toledo Blade reported that more than 400 people once gathered at an event in the city to salute her and her efforts.
At one time, she was the only woman in the Ohio Senate. Admired for her debate skills and oratory, she served terms as Chair of both the Senate Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees, as Senate Democrat Floor Leader and member of the powerful Senate Finance and Rules Committees.
An activist member of the Democrat Party, she was a delegate to National Conventions and a key worker on presidential campaigns.
She later grew tired of increasing partisan bickering and ended her career by simply walking away from government and politics and living the remainder of her life with her books and beloved pet dogs.
She was born in Toledo August 22,1924 as the only child of Charles and Blanche (O'Neill) Valiquette. She graduated from Toledo Central Catholic High School, The University of Toledo and Toledo School of Law. She held strong Catholic values and often credited her elementary school nuns who taught her the value of reading and women getting an education as the most influential persons in her life.
Senator Valiquette will be privately buried alongside her parents in Calvary Cemetery, Toledo. The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta -Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
www.hendersonvanatta.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Marigene Valiquette
2 Entries
Linda Rokicki
August 12, 2024
I did not know her or anything about what an amazing woman she was! She is what every new, up and coming politician should aspire to be.
What a remarkable human being. I hope that while she was alive that she was honored for the service that she provided to the State of Ohio.
James A. Weinkle
August 11, 2024
I worked as a legistative intern for Senator Valiquette from 1978-1979 when I had the honor of becoming her legistative/administrative aide from 1979-82. She was a remarkable human being who made life better for millions of Ohio residents. She wasn't always understood and many underestimated her brilliance and tenacity. She was of a different generation of leaders who when one disagreed, one found a way to work together for the common good. She had a keen mind that could probe an issue, and even when disagreeing, was not disagreeable - she was respectful. She was brilliant, extremely well read, interested and interesting, and gave me advice in 1983 that set me on a road to rise to my potential. I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to sit with her in May 2024 for the first time since 1983. In that meeting, I was able to express my profound gratitude, appreciation, and thanks to her for the impact she had on my life. A rabbi once said words when my grandmother passed away when I was in law school in 1984: "We thank God for the life she lived." I can say the same for Senator Marigene Valiquette: "May we all thank God, however we understand God, for the life Marigene Valiquette lived." A life well lived. May she rest in great heavenly peace with her beloved mother and father. Love and Blessings - James Continue Reading
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