Forever Val Jeffries
Celebrating a life marked by leadership, adventure, generosity and love
Val Jeffries gave me an F-Bomb. With a cautious smile, she handed me a small gauze bag with a round silver charm containing a burning wick and the capital letter “F” emblazoned on it. “I got one for myself and thought you should have one,” she said of the gumball-sized trinket she was handing me as we sat at the Billings Clinic Radiation Oncology waiting area.
She, in her thoughtful way, was unsure of how I would react to the offering, but I laughed, wanting to bring some levity to the situation. She giggled as she grabbed my hands in relief, but the usual spark in her eyes was eclipsed. While we waited for her first radiation treatment, a year after her remission from triple negative breast cancer, she gave me the gift. I did not realize that, a month later, it would be something I would dangle from my purse as a reminder of her.
When I sent her a thank-you card for the gift, I joked that the letter “F” did not have to only represent the four-letter word of contempt, anger or defiance. “F” could represent more positive feelings, such as fun, festive, fabulous, fine, fortunate and forever. Unfortunately, deep down inside, we both sensed the larger sentiments of this little bomb.
Val got the results from a blood exam for her cancer recurrence after finishing four days at the Boundless Arizona Training Camp for runners at the end of February. This was a camp for those who tackle challenges such as the Leadville Trail 100 Run, an ultramarathon for the uber elite athletes. In the training, she navigated through long dark night runs, avoiding cacti and rattlesnakes, to days later discovering that her cancer had spread into her body.
How could this be? In all the years she traveled as the regional district manager for Holiday Gas Stations, now Circle K, she made healthy food choices and ventured outside for exercise every morning. She had come out of her chemo and radiation treatments two years before stronger and fiercer because she was determined to conquer the evil “C” and even more, to keep it away forever. Her positive attitude alone would have conquered all things bad.
She was disciplined, adhering to eating two bowls of fruit and vegetables daily. She mostly chose to eat salads and always, if available, salmon. Her only vices were fried chicken and hot, crispy French Fries and, perhaps, sips of wine. At home, she made a mean paella and was just venturing into making sourdough bread.
In 2005, Val joined the wine group that Cara Schaer and I started when I was studying for my wine professional certification. As a member of the “Swirl Girls,” she was always an enthusiastic participant and a willing hostess. She loved the camaraderie and learning so much that she started her own group in her Shepherd neighborhood, bringing women in the hood together and calling themselves the “Attitude Adjustment Council.”
Val retired from Circle K two summers ago, while finishing her cancer treatment. During most of this time she would gear up in the mornings before the sun rose to put on a headlamp and shoe lights to run the two-lane roads near her home. Afterward, she journaled with her cat, Electra, on her lap, and later, used her master gardener knowledge, working her small vineyard, determined to grow enough grapes to make her own wine, cultivating her vegetable and flower gardens, and tending to her bees.
Jeff Reed, senior district manager at Circle K, who worked many years with Val, says of her, “Val was a true people leader who never stopped leading, even after retirement. She continued checking in on her people, offering guidance, support and encouragement whenever it was needed.”
John Brewer, President/CEO, Billings Chamber of Commerce, says, “Val left a legacy as a compassionate leader who repeatedly proved you can accomplish great things while lifting others up and working together.”
She volunteered at the Yellowstone Art Museum as a docent. In years past, she had served as a member of the board of directors, but more recently wanted to learn more about the art and share the knowledge with those who visited the museum.
Jessica Kay Ogdin, director of the museum remembers Val as a “lifelong learner at heart,” adding that “Val was endlessly curious and generously shared her knowledge and enthusiasm with those around her, including the K-12 students on tours of the YAM galleries.”
Val graced her home above the Yellowstone River with art created by Nancy Halter, Phoebe Knapp, Brian Scott, Sherri Cornett and so many more artists. She prided herself in creating a sanctuary for herself and her husband, Allen Powers.
During one of the last conversations I had with Val, she said, “I want to make it clear that I’ve had an incredible, wonderful life. Mr.Po (a nickname for Allen) made that happen for me.”
Whenever Val asked for help or support, she was always quick to return the favor. After completing a new garage with an upstairs retreat that she affectionately called the “Diva Dive,” she wanted to celebrate the space's debut by inviting Teresa Danielle Morse to perform what Val described as “my lounge piano music or perhaps something a little more uptown.” The garage was transformed into a cozy performance venue with carefully arranged seating and lighting, while, upstairs, Connie Herberg showcased her artwork in the Diva Dive, adding to the festive atmosphere.
“Val was one of a kind — the good kind,” Teresa says.
Val’s last good advice was: “Travel should be the prerequisite for life. It teaches you tolerance. There’s more to the world than you think there is.”
Val embraced the world and the people in it. She sparkled with her spirit and beautiful smile that was wide and generous. She captivated us with eyes that always saw the best in us.
Although the angry four-letter F word crosses my mind every so often for the loss of my friend Val, I am truly grateful for having been with such a fine and fabulous human being, but saddened that it was not forever. F-Bombs have been distributed to the Swirl Girls, the Attitude Adjustment Council and a few special friends to form the V-Bombers. From Val’s gift of one F-Bomb I now have 17 V-Bomber sisters, all because of her.
