Mary Karen Valentine

Mary Karen Valentine passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026 at the age of 90 at Pinebrook Nursing Home in Milford, OH. Born in Rockford, IL, Mary Karen Potter was the second of three children of Hazle Boomer and Everett Potter. She was preceded in death by her parents, an older sister, Julia Potter Sharp (Jack Sharp, deceased), and a younger brother, Warren Potter (Rita Salyers Potter). 

From 1957 to 1976, Mary Karen was married to Franklin W. Ridgway (deceased) of Rockford, Illinois. They had three children: Mary, Bill, and Andrea. In 1981, she married Lloyd M. Valentine (deceased), who was a professor at the University of Cincinnati and Chairman of the Economics Department. She resided in Cincinnati from 1969 to the present.

Along with raising her family, Mary Karen had many hobbies and interests. She had a passion for quilting and needlepoint and was a long-time participant in her church's sewing group. In her later years, when physically going to church became challenging, she regularly watched services from her home computer.

 She was an excellent bowler and champion golfer for much of her life. She also served many years as a Steven Minister, as an officer of her golf club, and was an enthusiastic volunteer for Hospice.

She loved travel and went to Scotland, Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and nearly all of the states. She frequently went on Cincinnati Reds cruises, and took her grandchildren on trips to Alaska, Canada, and other places of interest. She also made regular road trips to Dayton to shop at Chico's, Dorothy Lane Market, her favorite shoe stores, and Grandma's Gardens.

She was a fan of the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Aronoff Theatre, other performance venues, and rarely turned anyone down when given the opportunity to attend.

She is survived by her children: Mary A. Ridgway, William S. Ridgway (Cathy Jones Ridgway) and Andrea R. Barter (James A. Barter). She has four grandchildren: Amy Ridgway Zeller (Cody Zeller), Matthew Ridgway, Scott Barter, Sam Barter, and one great grandchild, Alice Zeller. 

A memorial service will be held at Milford United Methodist Church, 541 Main Street, Milford, OH 45150, on Saturday, Sept. 12. Visitation at 11:00 am. Service at 11:30. Her ashes will be spread at Crane's Beach, Ipswich, MA, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597, or, Milford First United Methodist Church 541 Main Street, Milford, OH 45150.

Donation Form (PDF) (https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/wp-content/uploads/HospiceOfCincinnatiDonationForm.pdf)

Donation Form (Word) (https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/wp-content/uploads/HospiceOfCincinnatiDonationForm.doc)

Milfordfirstumc.org