With profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of Valerie Mary Dean (Oxton), loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, cousin and friend to all whose lives she touched, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, following a brief hospitalization.

Valerie Marie Dean (née Oxton) had an infectious laugh and a smile that could light up a room. Credit: Jacqueline Nicholson photo

Valerie was born on June 7, 1954, at Brooklyn’s Midwood Hospital, Kings County, New York, the youngest of six first-generation, Irish-American children born to Charles (Charlie) Joseph Anthony Oxton and Johanna (Jo) Oxton (née Haring), better known as “Mema,” both of whom preceded Valerie in death.

The day Valerie came into the world was a particularly exciting day for the Oxton Family. Valerie and her older brother, Chip Oxton, share the same June 7th birthdate, so when baby Valerie arrived on her older brother’s 7th birthday, Chip was absolutely thrilled, bragging to family and friends for months about how his parents “got him the best birthday gift ever” for his birthday — his baby sister, Valerie.

Valerie Mary Oxton as a newborn in the summer of 1954, Forrest Hills, Queens, New York. Credit: Courtesy J’Aimèe Oxton

Valerie relocated to Santa Barbara from Brooklyn, New York, with her family in 1957, at the age of 3. Valerie lived nearly her entire childhood, as well as the majority of her adulthood, in Santa Barbara County.

Valerie attended Santa Barbara’s Notre Dame Elementary School (previously Dolores School), before moving on to Bishop Garcia Diego High School, where Valerie consistently made the Dean’s List and Honor Roll, and was nominated to the 1971 Homecoming Court during her Senior Year. Valerie and her future husband, Donald B. Dean, Jr. were both graduates of Bishop Diego’s Class of 1972, marrying at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in late 1980.

Valerie’s nature was always so generous and supportive, providing comfort to her loved ones without exception, which is one of the many reasons Valerie devoted most of her life to working with children, initially running a home-based daycare, and, more recently, Valerie worked with special needs children as a pre-K and elementary school teaching assistant with Morongo Valley Unified School District.

Valerie was a loving, dedicated mother to her five children, and was equally devoted to her six precious grandchildren.

Valerie’s most cherished gift was spending time with all five of her children: (L-R) Bonnie, Anthony and Desiree Dean, Jacquie Nicholson, Valerie Dean (née Oxton) and Chris Krein Credit: Oxton-Dean Family photo

As an organ and tissue donor, Valerie extended her impact far beyond her own life, giving in death just as she did in life. It’s a powerful reminder of how one person’s generosity can continue to resonate, helping others in earthly life beyond their own.

Valerie is survived by her eldest son, Christopher Krein and her daughters, Jacquie Nicholson (Trent), Bonnie Dean, and Desiree Dean; her grandchildren Logan, Jocelynn & Ronon Hughes, Sar’h Dean, Isaiah & Selah Nicholson; her sister Kathleen “Kay” Warnock (Stephen), two brothers, Charles “Chip” Oxton (Georgia) & Dennis Oxton (Karen), her maternal cousin, Marie Partney (David), and her sister in law, Renee Malloy.

Valerie (center) with four of her siblings: (L-R) Dennis, Joanie, Kay and Chip Oxton in their childhood home at 328 Loma Vista Ave. in Santa Barbara Credit: Courtesy J’Aimèe Oxton

Valerie is now reunited with loved ones who preceded her in death, including her youngest son, Anthony Lucas Dean; her husband, Donald Benjamin Dean, Jr.; her sister, Joanie (Oxton) Laughlin (Terry), her brother, David Matthew Oxton, two maternal aunts, Sr. Mary Rosalia, CSJ (Mary Edith Haring), and Patricia Carelli (Bangle), uncle Fred Carelli, paternal aunt Anne L. Oxton (née Kelly), paternal uncle, John Gerard “Jack” Oxton, Sr., her paternal grandparents, John Francis and Jane Elizabeth (Curran) Oxton, Jr., and her maternal grandparents, John Herman Haring and Mary Edith Patton.

All who knew Valerie loved her dearly, and will never forget her kindness, gentleness, love of children, or the endless devotion she had to her faith, her family and her friends. She will be deeply missed.

The family of 70-year-old Valerie Mary Oxton Dean will celebrate her life at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church (21 E. Sola St., Santa Barbara, CA, 93101) with a Funeral Mass in Valerie’s honor at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

A private Graveside Service at Santa Barbara’s Calvary Cemetery will be held at a later date.