October 19, 1960 – November 14, 2023

Valerie Elizabeth McFadden (née Curtin), 63, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Marblehead, Massachusetts, died on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, after a courageous twelve-year battle with cancer.

Valerie grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, and summered on Cape Cod. She earned her B.A. in Education from Salem State College. She began her 33-year-long elementary and middle school teaching career in Windham, New Hampshire before heading to the Marblehead Public Schools, where she was nominated for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Award. She relocated to Naples in 2006. While teaching at Seacrest Country Day School, Valerie received the Junior Achievement of Collier County Teacher of the Year Award and earned her M.A. in Adult Education from the University of Phoenix (all while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the second time). Upon transferring to Collier County Public Schools, Valerie proudly served on the faculties of Shadowlawn Elementary School and East Naples Middle School. While Valerie was exceedingly adept as a teacher, she enjoyed far greater fulfillment as a friend and mother.

Valerie was the beloved wife of Stephen and devoted mother of Kaliegh (and “bonus mom” to Kaliegh’s partner, Marshal Tobias). She was the loving sister of Dotti Kelly, Bob Curtin Jr., Bill Curtin Sr., and Michael Curtin. She was the dedicated aunt of Megan Kelly, Mark Kelly, Rob Curtin III, Tim Curtin, Will Curtin Jr., Julie Curtin, Shane Curtin, and Ashley Curtin. Valerie was recently predeceased by her brother, Jim Curtin, and her parents, Dorothy Curtin (née O’Brien) and Bob Curtin Sr.

In loving memory of Valerie, and in lieu of flowers and donations at this time, her family encouragingly asks that you carry out her legacy by performing random acts of kindness at every opportunity. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” – John Lennon and Paul McCartney