Grande dame — this is a European reference to an individual of great prestige and ability, who is a highly admired and respected great lady. In Clark County, Southwest Washington and throughout the state this person was simply known as Val Ogden. To chart her accomplishments for those of us in Southwest Washington and across the state would read like a never-ending epitaph of good works and great deeds that few could or will ever match.
To the thousands of her friends, she was simply Val, a single-name recognition that is generally reserved for musical superstars or national personalities. She was a person who made you believe that you were talking to your favorite grandmother or your best friend because she treated you as if you were her closest friend or member of her family.
To Dan Ogden, her loving husband and partner, and to her children, we want to thank them for loaning this marvelous individual to us for so many years. By her friendship, dedication, actions and deeds, she made each of us a better person.
Mike Teefy
Vancouver
