Valerie Diann Hallam, age 88, of Menominee, Michigan, passed suddenly in her sleep on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at her residence. Her passing came as a complete and total surprise. William and Evelyn (Anderson) Hallam welcomed their daughter Valerie into the world on January 7, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois.
In addition to her retirement from Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, Wisconsin, Valerie completed her nursing career in the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, the Menominee County Lloyd Hospital in Menominee, and the Bay Area Medical Center.
Just recently, she renewed her nursing licenses in both the state of Michigan and the state of Wisconsin, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining her status as a registered nurse. She continued her education right up until the day she passed away, making her a lifetime student. As well as gardening, Valerie enjoyed spending time outside. In the course of her investigation into her family’s ancestry, she even traveled to Ireland for a period of twelve days, during which she visited locations where her grandfather had formerly resided.
The symphony, concerts, plays, and musicals were all things that she enjoyed going to see. In addition to being a voracious reader, she enjoyed tackling difficult crossword puzzles. She had a heart of service and enjoyed volunteering, serving in a variety of positions for a large number of organizations, but it would be impossible to identify all of them for her. Both the American Legion and the Menominee Women’s Club counted Valerie as an active member from one point to another.
She was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic church, and when it was necessary, she would administer communion to residents of nursing homes. Additionally, she participated in scuba diving drills while serving as a Flotilla Commander with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for a period of seventeen years.
During that time, she was honored with four Commendation awards and two service awards. She had also been on the board of directors of the American Heart Association, in addition to being a member of ARES/RACES and belonging to the M&M Amateur Radio Club, where she had held the position of secretary.
Valerie was the first woman to receive the Joe Banach Award for Outstanding Rescue Squad Service. She had been a member of the Emergency Rescue Squad for more than thirteen years. As a blood donor herself, she continued to work at a number of different blood banks. She donated countless gallons of blood. Those whose lives she touched will miss her tremendously. She will be sorely missed.
Those who are left behind after Valerie’s passing include her son, Brian; her three daughters, Karen (Jud), Ellen (Chris), and Diann (Uwe); her four grandchildren, Jami, Eric, Amanda, and Chad; her eight great grandchildren; and her cherished dog, Diego. The following people passed away before Valerie: her parents, William and Evelyn; her son, Scott; her infant grandchild; and her dogs, Duke and Lucy.
