Valerie L. Shulman

Dr. Valerie L. Shulman lived a full life. She lived in New Jersey, Paris, Brussels, Florida and beyond. She lived as marvelously as the life that surrounded her and with a vibrancy that competed with the sun. And most of all, she lived in our hearts. She was as alive as anything the world has ever known, working, loving and providing until her last days. Thriving at the center of all she manifested, she was a bright beacon of opinions, ideas, laughter, and love.

First and foremost, Valerie was a self-described suburban, Jewish housewife. And that’s how she introduced herself. Daughter of Gertrude and Meyer Lowitz, she grew up in South Orange, where she also raised her own family. Valerie devoted herself to family; her husband, Morris, and their three children, Michael, Joyce Anne and Carolyn, all while caring for her mother in their South Orange home.

Valerie received her bachelors from Epsilon University at the ripe age of 20, with a fast follow of a masters from Seton Hall, her PhD from Fordham, and her post-doctorate from the University of Geneva. While working at Fordham, she was appointed as Dean and set up the Fordham University campus at Collegio Del Turabo, in Puerto Rico.

Valerie was her community. At home in New Jersey, she was the trustee of South Orange Village, and a cherished member of Oheb Shalom congregation where all three of her children were b’nai mitzvot.

A true citizen of the Tri-State area, Valerie worked with the air traffic controllers under New York City Mayor Ed Koch during the air strike in 1980. She struck out on her own with a few partners after her post doctorate and formed Shulman Associates, an industrial psychology consultancy. And with an early eye on our environment, and post Shulman Associates, she served as Secretary General of the European Tyre Recycling Association in the EU for over three decades.

Most recently, Valerie won a lifetime achievement award in the Tyre Recycling Sector in March 2021 from the Recircle Awards Organization.

If asked to list her favorite pastimes, Valerie would undoubtedly place sipping Montepulciano d”Abruzzo with family and friends at the top list. Her accomplishments of the day revolved around lively conversation, and spirited debate with family and friends. As her education would indicate, those conversations took place in array of languages, including French, Spanish, and when drinking Montepulciano, Italian. Guests of Valerie’s were often treated to her specialty; perfectly prepared filet mignon, a dinner she liked to bring to a close with her signature, homemade chocolate mousse. As much as she loved the intimacy of such gatherings, she enjoyed, hosted and shared her home and her culinary talents by throwing wonderful parties for family and friends, old and new. Entertaining fulfilled a generosity in her along with a need to try new things and her desire to meet new people.

One-to-one, Valerie was there. There for all of us, never failing to pick up the phone, or the pieces, or duties for the school run. In short, she was as dependable as she was loved and we will miss leaning on her and loving her.

Valerie was preceded in death by Morris Shulman, her husband of 53 years, and her son Michael Shulman. She is succeeded by her daughter, Joyce Anne Shulman, mother to her beloved granddaughter, Lena Shulman, and her youngest daughter, Carolyn Shulman and her spouse.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you donate to one of Valerie’s favorite charities: Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options,www.jafco.orgor American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization,www.axpow.org

Graveside Service for Valerie Shulman will be held rain or shine at 11:00 AM on 7/14/21 at B’nai Abraham Cemetery, 2600 Route 22 East, Union, NJ