Obituary for Valerie S. Mendizabal Valerie Stein Mendizabal, 51, of Webster Groves, Missouri died of liver failure and related complications early in the morning of Tuesday, April 10, 2018, under hospice care in St. Louis. She was born November 28, 1966 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Moving with her family to North Oaks, Minnesota and then later to Summit, New Jersey, Val brimmed with energy and an independent spirit and loved to have fun, whether it was with her beloved cousins or her numerous friends.
She developed an early passion for the outdoors, winning ribbons for her horseback riding at the stables behind her home in New Jersey, and filling her stringers with trout during family fishing trips to Rockbridge, in the Ozarks. At summer camp at Kehonka on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, Val took to sailing as she developed friendships that she joyfully renewed as an adult. Likewise, Val kept up with her many friends from Summit High School though class reunions and social networking, and this was a pattern in her life: she loved to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, many of whom will remember her bright smile and laughter.
Val attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. While at U of A, Val joined the Pi Phi sorority and became a lifelong fan of the University of Arizona Wildcats basketball and football teams. As a young adult Val had a successful career in the fashion industry, starting in New York City at Saks Fifth Avenue then moving to San Francisco working for Gap and Old Navy as merchandise planner and buyer.
In 2001 she relocated back to the East Coast to work for Coach in New York City and Retail Brand Alliance in Enfield, Connecticut. Following marriage in 2004, Valerie pursued her passion for fitness by becoming a group spinning instructor, inspiring and motivating her students with enthusiasm, creativity and flair. She was also an active volunteer with the Junior League, chairing several committees.
Starting in the early 2000s she combined her energy and organizational skills to run her family’s annual Fourth of July reunions in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Many dozens of family members of different generations from around the country have Val to thank for the laughter, fun, and close family relationships that she nurtured through these events. Finally, Val cherished her dogs.
From her childhood West Highland White Terrier, Bonnie, to her Vizslas, Maxi, Titus and Bruschi, to her little adopted Puggle, Mitzi, Val always had a special bond with her canine companions. Val is survived by her father, Paul Arthur Stein of New Canaan, Connecticut; her stepmother Marjorie Stein, also of New Canaan; her brother, Paul Garwood Stein of Smyrna, Georgia; two stepsisters, Carolyn Millstein of Washington D.C. and Elizabeth Neiva de Figuerado of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and her former husband, Lorenzo Mendizabal, of Connecticut. She was predeceased by her mother, Ann Garwood Stein, of Summit, New Jersey.
A private graveside ceremony will be held in Cape Girardeau at a later date. Family and friends who wish to remember Val may do so by donating to their local animal rescue organization or by adopting their next pet. Online condolences may be made at www.
fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Valerie S. Mendizabal please visit our Sympathy Store.
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