Valerie Ann Fontaine, 85

MIDDLEBOROUGH  -  Valerie Ann Fontaine, age 85, of Middleborough, died on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth.

Born in Medford, she was the daughter of the late Hector & Alice (Fiset) Fontaine.  Valerie grew up in Haverhill and Providence, Rhode Island.  She was a high school graduate from Saint Mary's Academy-Bayview in Riverside, Rhode Island,  Class of June 1957.  Valerie attended  the University of Rhode Island, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and continued her education at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1968 with a Master of Social Work Degree.

For many years, Valerie worked as a social worker for the State of Rhode Island.  She was active with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, where she helped create policies for their charter.  Wanting to help people, Valerie worked as a self-employed Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.  At age 49, she completed the Iron Man Kona in Hawaii, after beating lung cancer!  Valerie kept busy working at the Middleborough Council on Aging; she participated in the reading club and was involved with the mobility classes for over 30 years.  She was a driving force for BIRDABILITY, a program that helped people solve mobility issues so they could participate in birdwatching.  Valerie was active in her church, singing in its choir.  She loved the outdoors; kayaking, swimming, and biking.  Valerie was a smart woman, an avid reader (of non-fiction) and a great story teller!  She will be missed.  

Valerie was the beloved wife of the late Janet E. Dunwoodie; loving sister of Nancy Bonin of Florida and the late David Fontaine; cherished aunt of Joe, Jimmy, John, Joyce, Kristen, Korinne, Kate, Kara, and the late Judy and the late Kerry.  She is also survived by many dear great-nieces, great-nephews and her faithful feline companion Sam.

There will be NO visiting hours.

Family and friends are welcome to Valerie's Memorial Service at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro Church (FUUSM), 25 South Main Street, Middleborough, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

Interment services will be private.

Contributions in Valerie's memory may be made to the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro Church (FUUSM), 25 South Main Street, Middleborough, MA 02346.

For online condolences, please visit our website:  www.ashleydrolettefuneralhome.com