Valerie “Sam” Brown, 78, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, following a stroke. She had her family by her side at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC.

Valerie Jo Hehn was born to Mary Jean Stever Hehn and William Harry Hehn on August 15, 1946 in Santa Ana, CA. She was the third of eight children. The family moved to Stockton, CA in 1946. She graduated from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in 1964.

Her talents were numerous, and she used them to the delight of those whom she loved and cared for. She possessed a brilliant mind, spoke French, could write in Latin, and was a graceful ballerina in her teens. She was an excellent musician who mastered the piano at a young age and had a beautiful singing voice, leading her high school choir in songs and her home church in hymns.

Growing up she loved the rugged mountains of the Siskiyou range in northern California, especially when she was able to explore, have adventures, and create memories with her family.

In her teens when Valerie went to work at the telephone company there was already a Valerie in her office, so they asked her to pick a nickname. “Just call me Sam”, she told them, and that name stuck for the next 60 years. All of her brothers knew her as “Sissy”, and she was affectionately referred to as “Auntie Sam” by her many nieces and nephews.

She married Joe Parrnelli in 1966. Together they had two sons but later divorced. Then she met the love of her life, Howard Lee Brown, and they married on April 27, 1974 in Carson City, NV. Eventually they settled in Gresham, OR and raised their blended family of three sons.

She enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and traveling. Her travels took her to many distant countries including England, France, Italy, Mexico, and Tahiti.

In her later years she and Howard lived in Las Vegas, NV, Gardnerville, NV, Rogue River, OR, and Hayden, ID where she enjoyed embroidery and quilting which brought joy not only to her but also to those who were gifted with the fruits of her talent. She continued to be a voracious reader and learner throughout her life, asking questions and researching answers, and became passionate about exploring her family’s genealogy. Her ancestry hobby is now a gift to her family.

Her laugh was genuine and infectious; you couldn’t help but smile and laugh along when you heard it. She was someone who always found the positive in every situation and was never one to complain. People were drawn to her warm and caring nature.

In early 2024 after the passing of her beloved “Hubs”, she moved to Raleigh, NC to be near family where she particularly enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters, Alyssa and Sophia Parrnelli and meeting new friends at The Cardinal senior living complex.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 50 years, Howard Brown, as well as her sister Karen Standley, and brothers Doug Hehn and Rich Hehn. She is survived by her sons Lee Brown (Lori) of Oregon, Lenny Parrnelli (Patty) of North Carolina, and Benjy Parrnelli of California, as well as six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Bill Hehn, Robin Hehn (Jeril), David Hehn (Noemi), and Stever Hehn (Manuela).

Throughout her life she was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She will be missed by many and forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life for Sam and Howard is scheduled for November 16, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Ahern Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

You may read the full obituary for Howard Brown by clicking HERE.