Valerie Jean Hunter, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Laguna Woods, California, on July 4, 2026, at the age of 85.

Born on July 18, 1940, in South Gate, California, Valerie was the eldest of four children born to Clarence and Mildred Cozby. She graduated from South Gate High School, where she began a life marked by kindness, compassion, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

On June 11, 1960, Valerie married the love of her life, Richard Hunter. Their marriage of 66 years was a remarkable testament to lifelong partnership, enduring friendship, and the strength of family. They made their home in Downey, California, where they raised their family and created countless cherished memories together.

Valerie was a devoted mother to four children. She is lovingly survived by her sons, Mark Hunter and his wife, Kelli, and Lance Hunter and his partner, Mario. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Diana, and her son, Robert, whose memories she carried in her heart every day.

She also leaves behind six treasured grandchildren—James, Joshua, Taylor, Trenton, Makenna, and Alex—and four adored great-grandchildren: Jayla, Jamie Lynn, Jayce, and Madden. Nothing brought Valerie greater joy than watching her family grow and sharing in their lives.

Valerie is also survived by her loving sisters, Judy Barnes of Chino Hills, California, and Terry Sebastian of Suncadia, Washington, and by her brother, Jay Cozby of Spokane, Washington. As the oldest sibling, she was a steady source of love, guidance, and support throughout her life.

To know Valerie was to know genuine kindness. She possessed a gentle heart, a compassionate soul, and a quiet strength that comforted everyone around her. She offered unconditional love without hesitation, listened without judgment, and gave generously of herself to family, friends, and anyone in need. Her grace, patience, and caring nature touched countless lives and created a legacy that will live on through those she loved.

Though her family mourns her passing, they find comfort in the countless memories she leaves behind—the laughter shared around the table, the holidays spent together, the words of encouragement, the warm embraces, and the unconditional love that defined her life. Valerie's greatest accomplishment was not measured by achievements, but by the family she nurtured and the love she so freely gave.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

A celebration of Valerie's life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at McCormick & Son Mortuary in Laguna Hills, California, where family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate the remarkable woman whose love enriched so many lives.

There will be a reception to follow at the home of Mark and Kelli Hunter, 2681 Walker Lee Drive, Los Alamitos, CA 90720