Valerie Avent

Valerie Raeann Hill Avent was born February 14, 1959, in Fairfax, MO. The eldest of seven children born to Louis Winona Gomel Hill, she was a natural caretaker of others. Her father Ray Ralph Hill was in the Air Force and the family lived abroad during the developmental years of her childhood. She sang God Save Queen to start classes at NATO headquarters Royal Air Force Brüggen near Mönchengladbach, Germany. She had very fond memories of growing up on Air Force bases and attending British schools. The correct pronunciation of basil was a regular debate as she preferred the British form. Another huge part of her childhood was spent living with her grandparents John Louis Gomel, Bertha Velva Baker Moore Gomel, Ernest Leighton Hill, and Eva Virginia Fielder Hill in rural northwest Missouri.

As our mother, Valerie gave her children the gift of music, reading and travel. Life. Be it a packed lunch in the mountains, trip to the music store, or Scotland, we were guaranteed to walk. She was adamant and proud to say she squeezed a penny. We walked everywhere. She loved music, family, and stories most of all.

Valerie started working in the lunchroom cafeteria at the age of 11 and worked her entire life until retirement from the post office in 2021. Her family moved to Billings when she was 14 where she attended school at Billings Senior High School. She graduated early with honors and attended college at Concordia College and Eastern Montana College studying language. She spent time as an exchange student in a rural community outside Mexico City and later taught high school Spanish. She retired as a Labor Relations Specialist after 38 years at the USPS. She was active in the APWU as a shop steward and clerk craft director for the majority of her career. She believed in the union and the protection and opportunity it gave employees.

Valerie always said being independent and holding a full-time job gave you opportunities. She was very proud of her work and the life it afforded her and her family.

Family stories were a big part of our lives. She always said that our parents and grandparents live on in us. That the stories they tell are part of us. We heard them often growing up and continue to repeat them to our children. She collected gnomes, citing folklore that they are our living ancestors. Valerie adored being a tea connoisseur and reading everything she could get her hands on. She also took special joy in sending cards and giving presents to friends and family often. Valerie had a special knack for gift giving. She especially enjoyed giving gifts to children. Valerie had such a big heart.

Valerie is survived by her children Ian (Allison) and Seana; her grandchildren Wolfgang, Oliver, and Claire-Ellen; her sisters Kathy (Richard deceased) Stricker, Ruthy Schmidt (deceased) Rebecca (Donnie) Neeman, Sherry (Gary) Price; brothers David (Bibivana) Hill and John (Pam) Hill; former husband Ron (Deanna) Avent and stepdaughter Amanda Sonju. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. She had a huge family that will all miss her dearly.

Mostly we wish you were with us now. We know you will forever be in our hearts, dreams, and stories. We miss you mom.