Mildred VanValkenburgh

Mildred VanValkenburgh, 98, a resident of Saugerties, NY for 64 years, died June 7th, 2025 in Kingston, New York.  Because of her hope and trust in Jesus Christ, we are confident that she is now with her Savior.

Mildred was the youngest daughter of William and Martha Johnson.  She was raised in Nutley, New Jersey and graduated from Nutley High School.  She worked briefly for the war effort (WW2) and then for 9 years with Prudential in Newark, NJ.  Her marriage to George VanValkenburgh in 1953 was a loving partnership for 45 years that included not only raising 5 children, but working together at Service Master, where she used her expertise as an administrator and book-keeper for over 25 years. 

Mildred served for many years as a Sunday School teacher and Pioneer Girls leader at First Baptist Church of Saugerties.  She was a wonderful cook, and a talented seamstress.  She enjoyed playing board games, working on puzzles and was a voracious reader, rarely without a book nearby.  Mildred lived a life of hospitality, welcoming friends and travelers into her home.  Her home was the gathering place for family at holidays, reunions and many happy memories were made there, especially by her grandchildren whom she loved greatly as they did her.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband George, her brother William and her beloved sister Evelyn.  The family that survives her includes her five children; Susan (Norman) Chrystie of Saugerties, NY, Kathy (Larry) Shindledecker of East Bend, NC, Stephen VanValkenburgh of Winston-Salem, NC, Thomas (Cheryl) VanValkenburgh of Saugerties, NY and  Beth (Jeff) Bender of Elkhart, IN; thirteen grandchildren: Rebecca Chrystie, Sarah Chrystie, Michael Chrystie, Karen Flinchum, John Shindledecker, Emily Shindledecker, David Shindledecker, Aaron Shindledecker, Joel VanValkenburgh, Megan Tenore, Philip VanValkenburgh, Travis Bender and Scott Bender-Wall, and 14 great grandchildren. 

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff on the Foxhall and Esopus units of Tenbroeck Commons Nursing home for their kind and compassionate care for mom.

A memorial service will be held 4 pm on June 28th, at First Baptist Church of Rhinebeck, NY.  Visitation will be from 3-4 pm. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Mission Fund at First Baptist Church.

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