Lasting Memories

Valerie Pillsbury
Dec. 31, 1959-Oct. 5, 2026
Clovis, California

Valerie Pillsbury died of metastatic melanoma in Fresno, CA in October of 2026.

Valerie was born in San Francisco in 1959 and was a lifelong Californian, most recently of Clovis. She graduated from Palo Alto High School and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Natural Resources Management.

Valerie worked as a US National Park Service Ranger for 39 years, her entire career. National Parks where she worked included Grand Canyon, Lassen, Yosemite and lastly, Sequoia/Kings Canyon. She shepherded countless interpreters during her time with the USNPS. She retired from the Park Service in 2023. She enjoyed counted cross stitch, quilting, word and jigsaw puzzles, travel, cooking, and baking.

Valerie is preceded in death by her father Fran. She is survived by her mother Helen, sisters Holly, Claire, Elaine (Brian) and Joanna (Ken), nieces and nephew Rory, Alix and Audrey, as well as several cousins and their families.

Valerie was an incredible role model of positivity, love, compassion, empathy, and humor, and was a great friend to many, both personally and professionally. Her laugh was infectious and her smile lit up every room she was in.

Wear sunscreen.