Valerie Ann Roberts

Valerie Roberts, age 51, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on May 7, 2022. Beautiful, kind, adventurous, Valerie met life with such vigor that it was contagious. Valerie was born on December 11, 1970, to Deanna Nix and Ted Burgnon, in Anaheim, California. She attended Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento, CA, where she later met and married her best friend and life partner, Loren Roberts, with a dream come true wedding, in October 2004.

Love and adventure went hand-in-hand for Val, and being a mother, to Tristen and Paige, was her most prized adventure. Just when she thought her heart could not be any more full, she became a grandmother, falling head over heals for her grandchildren, Juniper (2) and Alder (4 months). Being a grandmother was the role of a lifetime.

Valerie’s enthusiasm for life and adventure kept her and Loren busy. Together, they enjoyed scuba diving in the Caribbean, mountain bike riding in California’s Sierra Nevadas, camping along the north coast, road trips on the back of Loren’s Harley Davidson, car shows, hot rods, paddle boarding down the Sacramento River, Saturdays on the boat, these were just a few of Valerie’s favorite things to do. She also loved her time at home with Loren, in their adorable Curtis Park house, which they took great pride in, remodeling it in 2014. Her dream kitchen was the perfect set for her inner-foodie – Val could cook! Her bright colored Fiesta Ware served some of the most delicious meals one could dream of – her fried chicken was one-of-a-kind. In addition to her love of family, adventures and wonderful home life, Valerie loved music, classic rock was her jam - Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, she knew good music when she heard it and she and Loren loved going to concerts.

To persevere was something that Valerie knew a lot about. As a kidney transplant recipient, Val lived everyday to the fullest, cherishing every moment. She knew what it meant to find joy in the face of adversity, and with this in heart, she trained to become a certified Accessible Yoga instructor through the Yoga Seed Collective, bringing yoga and mindfulness to people with physical limitations. Strong, upright, kind and loving, Valerie understood what it meant to flex and move, despite pain, keeping her mind, body and spirit agile.

When diagnosed with cancer in 2017, Valerie faced the challenge head on. Friends and family rallied, but it was her devoted husband, Loren, that did everything in his power to care for her at home. Becoming a dialysis technician, Loren, learned all he could to care for her, with all his might. Even in the face of cancer, Valerie had strength and fortitude, finding adventure, optimism and love in all she did.

Love lives forever. Because of that, Valerie touches each and every one of us - everyday. She adored Ladybugs. Next time a Ladybug appears, take a moment and say a sweet hello. You’ll be convinced that Valerie is never gone. Ladybugs represent all that is good, including true love and adventure. We know that the magical Ladybug will bestow blessings from Valerie, upon each and every one of us.