Valerie Jean (Mattison) Cline, age 75, passed away peacefully at Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice on June 25, 2020 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Valerie was born November 8, 1944 in Newton, New Jersey to Harry Vernet Mattison and Ernestine (Fucci) Mattison. In 1960, “Val” married her high school sweetheart, James “Jim” Cline. They resided together in Long Valley for 52 years.

Val was the bookkeeper for the family dairy delivery business for 22 years. She also enjoyed many duties over her 35 years at Ashley Farms including working the turkey line for Thanksgiving, to managing the bookkeeping duties before retiring in 2014. Ashley’s was more than a job. She would have gone to work there as a volunteer if they stopped giving her a paycheck! It was her second home. Going to work with the Ashley’s was like hanging out with best friends. She would often come home tired, not from the work, but from laughing all day.

Rudyard Kipling wrote “God couldn’t be everywhere, and therefore he created mothers”. Val had many Momma-Bear traits. She was protective, loving, and encouraging, however, she was always looking and listening to make sure everyone was on the right path. Val wouldn’t think twice setting-you-straight if you needed it.

In addition to being the true matriarch of the family, Val was an accomplished bowler, long participating in league play. As an athlete, she also enjoyed tennis in her earlier years. Whatever the sport, you best bring your ‘A’ game, as Val was a fierce competitor!

Val loved traveling, playing cards, and trips to the Casino. She also enjoyed baseball, and especially adored the New York Yankees. Her first trip to Yankee Stadium brought her to tears!

Valerie is survived by her husband Jim, brother Brentford Mattison; her two sons and their wives Darryl James and Amanda Lane-Cline of Denver Colorado, Jay Alan and Andrea (Henry) Cline of Fromberg Montana; grandchildren Jay Cline Jr., Jonathon Cline, Jordan Cline, Taylor Cline and Alessandro Henry; as well as many loyal friends and extended family.

Please join us in celebrating her life. Her Memorial Service will be graveside at the Union Cemetery in Hackettstown on Tuesday, June 30 at 11:00AM. We also invite you to join us after the Service at a casual outdoor gathering, under tent and shade tree, at Ort Farms in Long Valley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org)