I can’t start to express how sad I was to hear of Val’s passing.

For me, Val exuded a rare combination of serenity, occasionally punctuated by her infectious, hearty laughter. She approached every interaction with kindness, diplomacy, and an attentive ear, making her a trusted confidante and an ally to all who sought her counsel. She will be sadly missed by us all.

Over the coming days and weeks, I do hope you all will be able to find some comfort from friends as well as each other.