Valerie Sue Specht

As I write this, I am reminded of the "Sound of Music" lyrics by Rogers and Hammerstein "How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?" As a toddler it was clear and apparent Miss Valerie was determined to live life at a fast pace and had places to go and people to see. We lost our glowing moonbeam, Valerie (Val) Sue Specht, unexpectedly in the early morning of May 18, 2023, at the age of 57.

Valerie was born at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara, CA and raised in the San Francisco, East Bay Area. She spent most of her adult life in Sacramento County, CA and most recently she was living in Ryndon, NV with her partner and wife of 30 years, TC. They were there to explore retirement and ponder what would come next in this new stage of their lives.

In 1983, after graduating from Washington High School in Fremont, CA, Valerie's first big adventure was in Kauai as a customer service agent for a helicopter sightseeing business. Upon returning to the mainland she lived in Boulder Creek, with her new love TC, and then later they settled in Sacramento County. Most recently Val and TC had moved to Ryndon. Valerie was an avid and accomplished gardener. She spent time as a Nursery Technician servicing rented office building, decorative plants. Her green thumb was bright and blinding. In the days shortly before her death she had set up her expansive new spring garden of vegetables and flowers. While her young family was growing, she loved her time working as a photo technician for Costco. Finally, before her early retirement in 2007, she was working as a Blue Shield of Northern, CA, Member Services Representative.

Valerie loved her family and was a passionate momma bear to her daughters Morgan and McKenzie. She loved and was first in line to volunteer help in their school and after school activities. She was vocally ardent about human rights and in the support of her LGBTQ community. She loved a good party and an impulsive food fight. Her smile could light a room. She would easily grab the attention of nearby children and soon their infectious laughter would fill the room. She cared deeply for the people around her. She was passionate and made an impact on many lives. She will be forever missed.

Valerie was an enthusiastic animal caregiver. In her senior year of high school she joined Future Farmers of America (FFA). She raised a steer and pig to show and eventually sell to market as her FFA Senior Project. Her bed was always shared with her fur-babies and they left little space for their beloved leader. Wherever she was, dogs, cats, and animals of many species were always nearby.

Valerie was baptized when she was 18 months old, jointly with her mother Evelyn, at Centerville Presbyterian Church in Fremont, CA. As a teen she was confirmed at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, also in Fremont. As new parents of daughters Morgan and McKenzie, Val and TC, and Val's dad Bob, became active members at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (LCOR) in Sacramento. A spiritual perspective and spiritual support were important to her during life's challenges and triumphs. She had recently reconnected with her LCOR family and that had given her much joy.

Valerie was preceded in death by her father Bob (Robert) and grandparents Frank and Annabell.

Valerie is survived by her wife TC, and daughters Morgan and McKenzie, her mother Evelyn, her sister Anissa and brother-in-law Kevin. She was Auntie to Nicole and husband Chris, Kevin and wife Hailey, and niece Cassie. She was Great Aunt to Riley, Matthew, Nicolas, Connor, Noah, and Hazel. She is also survived by Aunts, Uncles and cousins abounding from coast to coast.

All friends and family are invited to a memorial celebration of life and reception on Saturday, July 15th at 1:00pm at Faith Presbyterian Church. Faith is located at 625 Florin Road, Sacramento. 95831. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Camp Okizu at http://okizu.org. Okizu was a bright and hopeful place for Val's family during a time of unknown and complex feelings and worry. Okizu's focus is on children with cancer and their families. Okizu is a place to go and forget about treatments and hospitals for a week, and to just be a kid. Okizu provides programs for the cancer diagnosed child as well as programs for their siblings and families.

Valerie you are missed. Until we meet again.