Valerie Ann Wideman (nee Griffith), passed away on August 17th, 2026 after a short, but brave battle with glioblastoma.
Born in Miami on October 31, 1950, to Warren and Janet she was raised in Homestead where she grew up, worked, and started a family. The eldest of 8, she was always leading her siblings, Warren, Dianne, Vickie, Barbara, Leslie, Glenn, and Cindy in impromptu talent shows, plays, and various performances for their parents and neighbors.
She graduated from South Dade Senior High in 1968, and attended Miami-Dade Community College, Florida International University, and completed her Masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of Miami and was a proud, lifelong Hurricane. Valerie accepted a short fellowship at Yale, and came back to Miami and began what would become a lifelong career in education at St. John’s Episcopal School where she taught Middle School, art, and eventually took the position of Principal. Over her many years in education, Val also taught art and art history at St. Leo College and more recently at Miami-Dade College.
She is survived by her husband Ron and their two sons, Ronney(III) and his wife Steph, and Ryan and his wife Dora and their two children, Collin and Sophia. It was her love for her grandchildren that motivated her and Ron’s decision to move away from Homestead and retire in the Florida panhandle.
Valerie found her strength to fight through not only her glioblastoma diagnosis and treatment, but also her battle with breast cancer just a few years ago, in her Christian faith. She carried her love for Jesus her whole life, and let it be her guiding light in everything she did.
A memorial is planned for Saturday October 31, 2026 (what would have been her 76th birthday) from 2-4 pm at St. John’s Episcopal School’s Allard Hall. There will also be a special dedication of the school’s art room in her honor. If you plan to attend, please send your RSVP to rwideman001@gmail.com
