Valerie (Sebo) Sem
Paths crossed; lives touched.
Valerie Sem graduated from Oak Harbor High School, before my own brief time in those hallways.
Where we came into contact was later, in her role as a Wolf Mom, when her daughter Julianne began to appear in the pages of Coupeville Sports.
A tennis player who helped the Wolves win titles, an honor student, part of the CHS theater troupe, she was a remarkably bright, very kind young woman.
Still is, I’m sure.
Valerie and I became Facebook friends somewhere in there, and we may have said a few words in passing.
Like her daughter, she always seemed very kind.
In late June, Mrs. Sem wrote one of the most heartbreaking posts I’ve seen on social media.
She talked about her painful battle with stage four cancer and her decision to bring her battle to an end on her own terms the following day.
The outpouring of love from her friends was immense, and I hope it gave her comfort in her final hours.
I knew her only in passing, connected as part of Wolf Nation, so I can’t speak with the depth of love others could, and still are doing.
All I can say is this — you seemed like a truly lovely human being, Valerie — something carried on by your daughter — and you will not be forgotten.
From her family:
Valerie Sem died peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 27 with her family at her side.
She was born March 10, 1960 in Eugene Oregon, the daughter of Robert and Joan Sebo, the sister to Renee, Rob and D’ann.
Val graduated from Oak Harbor High School and attended Pacific Lutheran University.
She worked at Mark-it Food’s in Oak Harbor and later went on to put her mark on Sebo’s Hardware in Anacortes.
She enjoyed boating, traveling and walking on beaches looking for sea glass and shells.
Val was an avid hiker, gardener and party planner.
No matter the occasion she always won the award for being the best dressed.
Val was a friend to everyone and made friends wherever she went.
Val is survived by her husband Dave, their son Steven and daughter Julianne.
She is also survived by her father Robert (June) Sebo, her brother, sisters and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother Joan.
Per her request there will be no service held; in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Whidbey Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date.
Honor Val by taking a hike and having a glass of wine.
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