Valerie Hammond, 45

Valerie Dee Hammond of Tacoma died March 22, 2007. She was 45.

Hammond was born to Arnold and Dolores Hammond in Seattle on May 21, 1961.

Hammond was married to Scott Brechbiel from 1985 to 1997.

She graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1979 and earned a legal secretary certificate from the Kitsap Peninsula Vocational Center in Bremerton. She also attended Boise State University, earning an associate’s degree in radiology technology in 1984 and a certificate of hemodialysis in 1987. She earned her LPN in nursing, while attending Clover Park Technical Park in 2001.

She was a certified scuba diver and enjoyed the waters off the coast of Southern California. She was also a Sons of Norway princess in 1978.

Hammond is survived by her brother Craig (Lainie Patterson) Hammond of Poulsbo; parents Arnold and Delores Hammond; three nieces and her special friend, Kim Hammond.

Private services will be held.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Vinland Lutheran Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2134, Poulsbo, WA 98370.