This was in my inbox last night... It is with a heavy heart that we send this email to you this evening. In the scrapbooking community there is an unspoken sense of sisterhood, today we have lost a very talented & gifted sister, Valerie, co-owner of No Bare Pages. Valerie suffered a seizure late last night and passed away early this afternoon at Providence Hospital. Valerie was not only an amazing scrapbooker but she was a loving mother, wonderful friend, and a woman of faith. We ask you to remember Valerie’s daughter, Lindsey and best friend Carma in your prayers this evening, that their hearts might be comforted. If you need to talk, we are here for you. We will share funeral arrangements with you as soon as they are available. Valerie was co-owner at a local store I taught at on a regular basis and was a friend of mine (just one of those cheery, fun, wonderful women that you can't help but love). You'll be missed Valerie.
What a sad, sad time. I will keep Valerie's family and friends in my prayers.
Posted by: KristaLund | September 30, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Oh I am so sorry for your loss. {{hugs}} to you
Posted by: Heather Prins | September 30, 2008 at 07:39 AM
So sorry to hear this.
Posted by: kelli | September 30, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I'm so sorry Karen :( What a sad sad thing. Valerie's family and friends will be in my prayers for sure.
Posted by: Tanya Webster | September 30, 2008 at 08:07 AM
{{hugs}} prayers for all who loved her and will miss her.
Posted by: Sherri | September 30, 2008 at 08:09 AM
:(
Posted by: Ali | September 30, 2008 at 08:20 AM
I loved Valerie. I went into her store often with my daugter, Callie. Valerie and Carma were like family to me when I would visit their store. They saw me through my pregnancy and watched Callie grow into a toddler. She will be deeply missed. My prayers go out to her family and friends.
Posted by: Libbi | September 30, 2008 at 08:23 AM
What sad news. :( I will keep all those that loved her in my prayers. Hugs, Karen.
Posted by: kristina | September 30, 2008 at 08:50 AM
How sad. I've gone into her store before.
Posted by: Addie | September 30, 2008 at 09:33 AM
{HUGS}
Posted by: Michelle | September 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend.
*Prayers*
Posted by: anne | September 30, 2008 at 10:01 AM
that is so sad.
i am so sorry.
hugs.
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | September 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
She was such a sparkler as in Firecracker. Love her so much, miss her like crazy, can't really believe she is gone. Yesterday I kept thinking it just could not be real.
Posted by: Brooke - in Oregon | September 30, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I am so sorry. HUGS.
Posted by: Angie | September 30, 2008 at 03:48 PM
It's so hard to accept things like this. Our community is mourning the unexpected loss of a 34 year old. You just can't wrap your brain around it. Many hugs, Karen.
Posted by: shabbyVTchic | September 30, 2008 at 04:15 PM
God never let her go.
My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends who
cherish her memory.
Sorry, Karen :(
Posted by: kat-in-texas | September 30, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Hugs to you in the loss of your friend, and prayers for her family and friends.
:J
Posted by: MamaJayne | September 30, 2008 at 07:09 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss Karen. Sending you and her family prayers.
Posted by: jenn | September 30, 2008 at 08:50 PM
I cannot help but feel a kinship with someone that shares my name. Hugs and prayers for everyone.
Posted by: Val in Ohio | September 30, 2008 at 09:05 PM
You are right when you say that there is a sisterhood in scrapbooking. That is so true. Prayers and love to all from another Valerie, in Australia.
Posted by: Val from Down Under | September 30, 2008 at 10:14 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
May good memories and cherished times bring comfort to Valerie's family and friends. Peace be with you.
Posted by: Brandi in OH | October 01, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Karen - Thank you for posting this. I get down to Medford fairly often as I have family there & would always go to No Bare Pages. Was so sad when they closed earlier this year - it was such a wonderful store. I will send my prayers to all of Valeries family and friends.
Posted by: Jodi | October 01, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Oh I'm so sorry to hear this - such a frightening reminder how very short life can be. Hugs.
Posted by: Kirsten | October 01, 2008 at 01:47 PM
OMG that is such sad news! I love that store! I go there whenever I go up to see my mom :( I hope that her family & friends can find peace in this difficult time.
Posted by: Moriah Bettencourt | October 01, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I'm so sorry to hesr about her passing.
On a brighter note, I just have to say go Utes!!! Make sure and pass this onto your hubby-I'm sure he'll be watching tonight.
Posted by: Shara | October 02, 2008 at 04:23 PM
That is a beautifully worded message. I'm sorry to hear that your local sb community has lost a friend.
Posted by: keely | October 02, 2008 at 06:14 PM
WOW, one just never knows...do we? I am sure she was a light for many people. Will be lifting this family up in prayer.
Posted by: kimberly | October 03, 2008 at 02:36 AM
sorry for your loss! jen t.
Posted by: jen t | October 03, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Oh. My. Gosh. Karen, I haven't read your blog in MONTHS and about passed out when I saw this post. I live in California and Valerie is a second cousin of mine. (Her mother was my dad's cousin.)Thank you for mentioning my talented cousin, and please continue to keep Lindsey and the rest of the family in prayer.
Posted by: Kim | October 05, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Thank you for this post and for your kind words, Karen. I was lucky enough to be friends with Valerie. She brought so many of us together here in southern Oregon through her wonderful, much-missed shop.
All of us so appreciated this post to your blog as we worked to get the terribly sad news out to all of Val's many, many friends. Her memorial service this past weekend was very well-attended, proof that she touched so many lives and was dearly loved.
Posted by: Audrey | October 05, 2008 at 10:41 PM