Born in Ventura, California, Valerie’s first loves were her parents Vicki and George, and her brother, Bud. Love of the ocean followed soon after. She forever treasured childhood beachside memories of bodysurfing and mat surfing with friends.

In 1977, Valerie bravely moved to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to her mother and continue her studies at Western Washington University. She met Jeff that fall and so began their 47-year journey.

The heartbeat of Valerie’s spiritual life was as an active member of the Al-Anon Family groups for over half her life, during which she touched countless souls. Whatever the moment or the challenge, Valerie personified the spiritual principals of Al-Anon.

Valerie was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia in 2021. In meeting her diagnosis, while she could still speak, she’d say, “Why me? Why not me?” She continued to rely on her spiritual practice for the duration of the disease.

Besides her husband Jeff and children Dimitri (Victoria) and Beau, Valerie is survived by her brother Bud (Deb), sister Tori (Claudio), nephews Troy (Brandi), Kyle (Abby), Tristan (Kaelynn), niece Tabitha, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews, and innumerable 12-Step friends and family.