Valerie Broido Kaufman

Val was one-of-a-kind.

Colorful, charismatic, energetic, loyal, bold and strong.

Everything on her terms, hers only and always.

Born in NYC and raised in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, Val was the daughter of two Brooklyn principals, the wife of a handsome athletic man, the proud mother of two daughters, a grandmother, and the sister of a brother for whom her love was endless.

Her motto was “You’ve got to be lucky in this life.” She believed she was. And, “If I’m not answering this call, I’m out having fun.”

From her days at Brooklyn’s Madison High to cheerleading at Syracuse University, socializing on the slopes of Mount Snow, the Sitzmark tennis courts, the links at Mount Snow, bowling with the Chinese Center of Long Island, winning ribbons in horse shows, swimming competitively, owning a business, and lovely walks with her Vermont friends—she was always on the move and in the middle of the action. Val loved to dance and throw parties with her brand of energy and enthusiasm that was infectious.

Mostly, she was forever curious, and she loved to laugh, really laugh.

Her memories from her days at the Indian Head bungalow colony with her family, in Warrensburg, NY, were some of her fondest and her friends from those summer camp days remained her friends for life—eight decades.

She remained strong and independent to the end. She loved and she laughed. At 6:24 p.m., on March 4, 2024, her light simply went out. She took her last breath, leaving us all breathless, but with so many memories.

Val is survived by her daughters Andrea Kaufman (Christopher) Robbins, Stephanie Kaufman, and grandchildren Colin Robbins, Kyle Beatrice Robbins, Chase Margaux Robbins (Matthew) Bersano, and Corey Donnelly, and her lifelong friends Sylvia Epstein, Janet Moskowitz, Barbara Hyde, Barbara Cohen, Nancy and Dick Warner, and Carole Olnenik. She was predeceased by her husband, Ira Kaufman, and her parents Beatrice (Schmerer) Broido and Alvin Broido as well as her dearest cousin Judith (Broido) Sherman and her grand-dog Casper the Westie. Her brother Jeffery Broido passed away June 21, 2024.

A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, August 25 at the Stack Restaurant at Haystack Golf Course, Wilmington, VT. It’s an open house with an ice cream bar, please join us to share your stories and love for Val.

A voracious reader and library supporter, in lieu of flowers a donation or visit to the Dover Free Library at 22 Holland Rd, Dover, VT, 05341, would make Val feel pretty great.