I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Valerie. This is never easy to face, in fact death can be viewed as an enemy. That's how our Creator Jehovah views it as according to 1 Cor. 15:26; which says, "And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing." May you find comfort in knowing this and that he has a longing to conquer that enemy, to undo death by means of the resurrection. Please visit jw.org for more comforting information.