Remembering Valerie Griffin Mould

[Tom Griffin, SHS '56, memorializes his sister, Valerie, first in an obituary notice, then in notes of personal remembrance.]


Valerie Griffin Mould died peacefully October 27th [2006] in Homewood at Plum Creek in Hanover, PA, at the age of 66 after a long illness.

Valerie’s life, although too short, was filled with bubbling enthusiasm and many friends. Born in Minneapolis, MN July 10th 1940, the daughter of Dorothy and Lloyd Griffin, she was raised in Scarsdale, NY, graduating from Scarsdale High School in 1958. She followed her parents and brother, Tom, to Northwestern University where she earned her BS in Speech Pathology in 1962. After graduation, she married her first husband, Michael Riccardelli and moved to Roseland, NJ where she lived for over 35 years. She was a teacher in the Harrison Avenue School until 1986 when she became Office Manager for Griffin Bacal Inc, an advertising agency in New York. In 1984 she met NU graduate Robert G. (Jerry) Mould, the love of her life, who she married in 1994. Together they opened a business in Livingston, NJ, which they operated until retirement in 2003. In 2004 they moved to Hanover, PA.

Valerie was an active member of the Union Congregational Church in Montclair, NJ where she sang in the choir for 20 years. She was a strong supporter of her Pi Beta Phi sorority and as a NU alumni served as Director of the Northwestern Alumni Admissions Council in northern NJ for over 15 years. Passionate Northwestern sports fans, Val and Jerry loved their road trips together. They traveled across the country to visit friends, family and attend NU Football games in every Big Ten stadium.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; her three children: Steven Riccardelli, Julie Riccardelli Breschi and Carolyn Riccardelli; her stepsons: Robert Rockwell Mould and Christopher MacGregor Mould; and her brother, Tom Griffin of Scarsdale, NY. She also had six loving grandchildren: Laura, Katrina, Michael, Samantha, Abigail and Lucy.

A Memorial service was held on Monday, November 13th at 11:00am in the Scarsdale Congregational Church, One Heathcote Rd. Scarsdale, NY followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions in her memory be sent to Northwestern University, School of Communication, 2020 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60208-4308, (877) 467-2003, giving@northwestern.edu, or the Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043, (973) 744-7424. Condolences, pictures and stories can be shared at the family website: rememberingval.com.



Valerie! Boy, was I lucky to have Val as my sister.

Of course, there were lots of early years when I didn’t really think so.

Yes, we were competitive (she did want all the attention after all) – And as the big brother, I think I contributed my share of “kid sister distress.” But she really seemed to have mastered the “big Brother thing.”

She was our cheerleader - From the day she was born, Val bubbled – enthusiasm was her middle name. (Didn’t have one)

When we moved here 1951 – I was reluctant to leave Illinois – but as always, Val was excited about what lay ahead.

Great years in Scarsdale. Fox Meadow and the High School – Cheerleading, Sports, - even dating one of my best friends. We could walk to school together most mornings.

When I went to Northwestern, she approved (our parents both were NU graduates). And she came right behind me. We had two years together at NU - and not sure who was looking out for who. Seemed to me she was always around. When I dated a Pi Phi – I could always be sure that there would be a report waiting if I did anything the girls thought was out of line. But I don’t really think that she thought it was a disadvantage to have a brother on campus, but she was happy when I graduated and she had the run of the campus on her own.

Always loved Northwestern. “To the memories” seemed to be written for her.
Val had kids first – at least Steve. She always loved kids. Carolyn, Steven, and Julie were a great source of joy to her – as were all the seven of her grandkids – It is sad that they won’t be able to “catch the full spirit” of their grandmother first hand. Besides her own, Val loved everyone else’s kids too – and always wanted to know “what new was going on.” (Probably why she became a teacher.)

Giraffes – Always loved and collected them (never understood why – Long Legs – maybe)– Lots of Dogs instead – Loved them – From Nip & Tuck – all the way to Tally Ho (actually my dog from college) - - - Couldn’t have Giraffe as pet in Roseland - Tiger, Albert, Henry.

It was a great day, when Val decided that she traded “kid talk” for adults and joined GBI as our Office Manager – Slash – Cheerleader. From Mailrooms, Supplies to Picnics to Office Moves she loved every minute of it. She found out that in advertising – we were all “big kids anyway.” One of her big moment was the cold January in 1990 when the city water pipe outside our building burst – and washed away everything below our offices. Files, Artwork, (even elevators) all gone and no access to the offices.

While I was worried about the business – Val was worrying about our GBI and Sunbow people and there was lots to do. We even made, at her suggestion, an “I survived the Flood” shirt for everyone.

Somewhere in the mid 80’s we started hearing about the “great guy” Jerry – who she talked with on the phone for hours. He was an NU guy – so probably all right. Well, they fell in love, and as we all know, this was a wonderful, wonderful caring guy who loved Val will every ounce of his strength and being.

Val got a “kick” out of everything. We have a Family Christmas “Grab Bag” – the strangest – funniest gifts always made her laugh. She and Jerry became the permanent custodians of the blooper gift – the “New Kids on the Block” poster. No matter how we tried to hide it – she always found it.

As husband, friend, love-of-her-life and caregiver, Jerry brought that bright joyful light to Val’s life every day. They were married 12 years – Twelve wonderful, and exciting years together.

Before Jerry, Val was an NU fan – but teamed together – they became NU FANATICS. Cruising the country for Sporting Events – football, Lacrosse and Softball. Even as the illness slowed down her speech – she had her rousing cheers (cheerleading spirit) right to the end.

Val will always be our cheerleader. We’ll laugh with her, love her and miss her everyday.

She did what cheerleaders do – help us appreciate all the exciting things going on in the life around us.