Valerie Anne Staab Chipman was born Aug. 26, 1958, in Augusta, to George A. Staab and Mary L. Staab. She shared many happy years with her parents and siblings in their Jefferson home.
Valerie attended Lincoln Academy and participated in cheerleading, track and every music-related club available. A skilled sight-reader, she often accompanied the school chorus or band on piano or organ.
Valerie met Jeffrey Chipman while they were studying piano at the University of Southern Maine. They soon became engaged. She loved to tell the story of how they met on a piano bench, performing a duet for a course. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education, Valerie married Jeff and had two daughters, Larissa and Marielle.
Valerie and Jeff’s shared passion for music led the family to the First Congregational Church of Durham, where they worked together for many years. Valerie directed the choir and organized both weekly music and holiday performances.
Valerie also taught music at Vineyard Christian School and served as organist for St. Giles’ in Jefferson. She frequently substituted as a music teacher in the Lisbon and Harpswell schools.
Valerie was a skilled artist who loved to create. When her daughters were young, she started working with stained glass, making gifts for family and selling commissioned pieces. Later she shifted to paper art and sea-glass art, creating beautiful, unique pieces that she loved to give away. She loved to write — songs, poems, short stories, emails, memoir-like ramblings in journals accompanied by drawings, and social media posts.
Valerie believed in democracy, justice, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and the fundamental equality of all people. She stayed informed on current events and informed others when necessary, always remaining calm and kind.
She regularly donated to causes she believed in and individuals she saw struggling. She adored animals and had many beloved cats and dogs throughout her lifetime. She was always happiest with a cat on her lap.
Valerie’s personality sparkled with warmth, friendliness and acceptance. She was loved by many.
Valerie is survived by her loving husband, Jeffrey Chipman; her daughters and sons-in-law, Larissa and Charles Smith, and Marielle and William Jacobs; her granddaughters, Gabrielle Michaud and Jordan White; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Peggy Staab; her sister, Kathleen Staab; her mother-in-law, Joanne Chipman; her brothers-in-law, Andy Chipman and Stephen Chipman, and their significant others; many other relatives; and hundreds of friends whose lives she touched immeasurably.
Valerie was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Deborah Staab.
