Valerie passed away the first week of January of this year after a long, second battle with cancer. Out of respect for her husband Tim, I won’t share more than that. Valerie played such an important role in helping to establish us all those years ago.

When a big grant or a major donation was received she’d always give me advice how to best invest it. She attended all of our board meetings even before she was on the board. Many of you who have attended our Dog Walks over the years will know her from interacting with her at registration.

Valerie was incredibly good to me for so many years. She just dropped out of the sky one day and called when she heard through someone else that I needed a bookkeeper. Most of her work for us was as a donation of her time. Talk about someone who believed in our mission statement and wanted to help!

“Valerie it isn’t the same in the office at month-end without you coming in, doing the books and having our tuna fish/egg salads salads and blueberry muffins and coffee.” Rest in peace dear girl, you are out of pain and you will never be forgotten.