Obituary of Christine Marie Valentine

Former "Crystal Valentine" Norwalk vintage clothing shopkeeper Christine Marie Valentine, 85, of South Salem, N.Y. peacefully drew her last breath by the grace of God, in her sleep on the morning of September the 3rd, 2014 at Norwalk Hospital. She received exceptional Hospice care in the last 24 hours of her life and was not one moment without one of her loving children by her side. Her heart was weak and she was tired. Born in Czechoslavakia in 1929, her family was split between East and West Germany during the German occupation in WWII. That wartime experience as a young girl shaped a women who was a survivor and a calculated risk taker. After living in Germany and France, she met and married an American Airforceman and arrived at Ellis Island in 1954 and became a citizen in 1958. After living in Brooklyn, N.Y. and Long Island N.Y. she settled down to live out her life in the South Salem N.Y hamlet of Vista where she raised her three children largely as a single parent. At or around the age of 51she opened her first vintage clothing shop after years of shopping, dealing and collecting. She owned and operated her store Crystal Valentine for 28 years and retired at the age of 79. For all that knew her, we all came away with something beautiful. A remarkable women, humble before God and certainly outspoken. She is survived by her three children Susie Valentine Collins of Norwalk, CT, Alexander James Valentine and his wife Lisa of Newtown, CT and Linda Valentine of Stowe, VT. The wake will be held Monday September 15th at the Norwalk Inn and Conference Center, 99 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Church service will be Tuesday, September 16th, 11:00 a.m at Stevens Memorial U.M.C, 8 Shady Lane, South Salem, NY. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Stevens Memorial U.M.C or the Vista Fire department 377 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, NY 10590 would be welcome with much gratitude. Arrangements under the care of Nutmeg State Cremation Society, Stamford. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.nutmegcremation.com Read Christine Valentine's Obituary and Guestbook on nutmegcremation.com.