Valerie Casey, community leader

 

Valerie Dyer Casey of Main Street, who was active in Ridgefield community and volunteer work for a half-century, died on Saturday morning, Feb. 5, 2005, at Danbury Hospital. She was 87 years old and the widow of William H. Casey.

Mrs. Casey was born in New York City, daughter of the late Roy E. and Mary Wilson Dyer. She was raised and schooled in Montreal, Canada, where her father worked as a commercial artist with an advertising agency.

As a young woman, she returned to New York City as a fashion model. She met her future husband through a mutual friend at Lehigh University. They were married on May 3, 1939 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral and honeymooned at the Cobb’s Mill Inn in Weston. Early in their marriage, the couple lived in Forest Hills, Queens, and later moved to Kent and then Danbury.

The Caseys came to Ridgefield in 1948 when they bought a small fuel oil company from John Leahy, renaming it Casey Fuel. Mrs. Casey remained an active adviser to the business throughout her life.

Mrs. Casey was a volunteer in many community organizations. She was a member and past president of the Caudatowa Garden Club, was on the board of the Ridgefield Thrift Shop, served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, was on the board of the Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club, and worked with the Girl Scouts. She was a member of Silver Spring Country Club and St. Mary’s Church.

She was long active in the Visiting Nurse Association where she founded the Friendly Visitor Program and the volunteer driving program, and served many years on the board. “She was a very visible presence at the agency,” said Helena Jedlinsky, chief executive director of the VNA. “She was soft-spoken and her actions were always patient-focused. She was a remarkable lady.”

Mrs. Casey also enjoyed gardening and was an accomplished artist.

“She radiated beauty and lived a life of gentleness,” her family said. “She treated everyone equally well -- it’s something we all learned from her, her universal kindness.

“She will live in the hearts and minds of many people for many years.”

Mrs. Casey is survived by four children, Diane Brown of Brookfield,  Michael D. Casey of Ridgefield, Laddie Casey of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Shaun Held of San Rafael, Calif. She also had seven grandchildren, Michael and Teddy Brown, Ford and Shane Casey, Laura Katie Casey, and Sophia and Annika Held; and three great-grandchildren, Joseph, Anna, and Rachel.

Mrs. Casey was predeceased by her husband, William, and her daughter, Kathleen Dervin Casey; and by two sisters, Audrey Dyer Kaine and Claire Dyer Audet.

The Rev. Paul G. Murphy, parochial vicar, celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday in St. Mary’s Church.

Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT  06877

The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.