Valerie Hannon Bailey, affectionately known as “Cookie,” was born on November 5, 1946, to the late Ozzie Rice Fisher and Lafayette Hannon.
Every fiber of Valerie’s being was beautiful—from her striking appearance and stylish clothing to the finest cars she loved to drive. She was truly the whole package. With her signature confidence, she would proudly remind everyone that she was “the best cookie in the cookie jar.”
Valerie carried herself with a confidence and elegance instilled in her by her mother. As an only child, she often joked that she had been taught how to live independently and do things for herself because she loved herself more than anyone else could. That self-love, confidence, and independence remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.
Cookie attended Keyport High School and spent more of her life in Keyport, New Jersey. During the 1970’s, she also lived in the newly constructed Monroe Towers in Asbury Park with her best friend Antoinette. At the time, Monroe Towers was the only high-rise building in the city, and the two friends created many lasting memories there together.
Valerie later met and married Ben Bailey. Their first wedding was a beautiful family affair, with many relatives and close friends participating in the bridal party, including her Aunt Linda, Uncle Tony, cousins Darlene, Veronica, TeeTee, Tonya, David, and Lorenzo, as well as her dear friends Antoinette, Esther and Barbara. Cookie often joked about how much she loved Ben—she loved him so much that she married him twice.
Cookie thoroughly enjoyed the finer things in life, but what made her especially remarkable was how generously she shared her blessings with others. She loved treating her family and friends to elegant dinner parties and would sometimes surprise everyone by arranging for a chauffeured limousine to take them out for the evening.
For many years, Valerie hosted an annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday brunch in her home, welcoming over 100 guests. Those gatherings were filled with delicious food, music, dancing, laughter, and togetherness. Cookie knew how to make every occasion feel special. She was truly “the hostess with the moistest.”
Valerie was also a dedicated entrepreneur and the proud owner of Fisher Residential Health Care Facility. She devoted many years to caring for others through her business before her health declined and she retired in 2022.
Cookie loved to travel, especially to Las Vegas and the Bahamas, and she enjoyed attending great concerts. At any party she could be found on the dance floor, she knew had to get a party started. She was also an enthusiastic football fan who enjoyed watching the New York Giants.
As many of the elders in the family passed away, Valerie unexpectedly became the family matriarch—a role she carried with strength, love and grace. She was the one person with whom everyone shared a special bond. She was deeply loved and respected, and everyone always made certain that Cookie was on the invitation list because she loved a good time and treasured being surrounded by family.
To countless people, she was simply “Aunt Cookie.” She opened her heart not only to the children in her family, but also to their friends. Her warmth, generosity, vibrant spirit, and unforgettable personality made everyone feel welcomed and loved.
Valerie was preceded in death by her parents, Lafayette Hannon and Ozzie Rice Fisher; her stepfather, Wendell Fisher and her stepbrother, Eddie Fisher.
She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved cousin/niece, Tonya Hornsby (Godday) whom she lovingly called “the daughter she never had;” her devoted sister-friend, Antoinette Ross (Emmett); uncles Richard Rice (Pauline) and Troy Graham; her aunt Linda Roberts (Bob); her close cousins Veronica Cancelrivera, Virginia Jackson, Jennifer Wathington and Evelyn Wathington; nieces Elaine Fisher Dorsey, Diana Fisher Jackson and Pam Bailey and a host of cherished relatives, extended family members, and lifelong friends.
Valerie “Cookie” Hannon Bailey lived beautifully, loved confidently, gave generously, and celebrated life fully. Her elegance, humor, independence, and larger-than-life presence will remain in our hearts forever.
Our forever Queen of the Stardust Ballroom.
