Victoria Valentine McMahon

1945 - 2016

June 7, 1945 - July 15, 2016 Victoria Valentine McMahon passed away July 15, 2016 in Los Angeles after a lengthy battle with pulmonary hypertension. Victoria was born June 7, 1945 to Ray and Mary Valentine in Houston, Texas. Vickie, as she was then called, joined Trans Texas Airways executive office directly after high school and later took a job as special representative ground hostess to the president of National Airlines in both New Orleans and Houston. While working for National Airlines out of Houston Hobby Airport, she met her husband, Ed McMahon, longtime sidekick of Johnny Carson on the "Tonight Show." Victoria and Ed made their home in Beverly Hills and raised their daughter, Katherine Mary McMahon who was born in 1985. They were active on the celebrity circuit, frequenting the newest and most popular hotspots around the world. Ed and Victoria divorced in 1991, but Victoria remained active socially and philanthropically. She co-owned 435 North, a restaurant in Beverly Hills, and served on the boards of SHARE, Inc., Women's Guild of Cedars-Sinai and Red Wagon Society of Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. She remained active in her charities as long as she was able physically. Victoria always lived her life to the fullest, especially after surviving a double lung transplant 8 years ago. She was grateful, in her words, to have "died twice." Victoria is survived by her daughter Katherine McQueen, son-in-law, Bryan McQueen, her grandchildren, Madison James and Corbin James, and her sister-in-law, Renee Valentine of Houston. She leaves behind a host of relatives and dear friends. Victoria was predeceased by her parents and her beloved brother, Bill Valentine who died unexpectedly just a few days before his sister. Her half-brother, Tommy passed away at 27 years of age when Victoria was in high school. A memorial will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Cemetery, 1218 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Victoria with a donation to UC San Diego Medical Center Pulmonary Transplant Center or Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.