Our Valley Home community is heartbroken. We have lost a very important part of our community. Mrs. Audrey Rinna was a friend to who all who knew her. Audrey lived her entire life within one square mile in Valley Home. She started her life in the triangle on Michigan Avenue, then moved to Free Love Avenue and then up to Pioneer Avenue. Upon her marriage, she settled on Lone Tree Road. Audrey raised her family on Lone Tree Road. Her grandchildren, James and Eli Titus, now live in their grandmother’s childhood home on Free Love. Audrey was very much loved here in Valley Home. She was trusted and deeply respected by all. As a young wife and mother, Audrey was so well respected, and so very trusted that in her hometown she held the extra keys. She held the safe combinations and she also kept the town secrets. Audrey was baptized at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, and later was married there. She is a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was a graduate of Valley Home School in the year of 1959. Audrey was a hard-working member of the Valley Home School Parents Club. She was always there for every class and every student. She was a part of the infamous Valley Home cookbook created years ago. That amazing cookbook is still much sought after today. Audrey was our Valley Home Christmas Parade Grand Marshal in 2023. It was such a joy to see Audrey riding along in in her late husband’s prized jeep. Grandson James was at the wheel and the entire family cheered her on. Audrey will be deeply and forever missed in her beloved Valley Home. She was very special … rest in heavenly peace, our beautiful Audrey.
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Our hearts were heavy this past Saturday evening. My sister Linnie and I attended the vigil held for Whisper Owen and her eight-month-old baby Sandra. It was a touching night with family and friends lining the banks of the Victory Avenue location where Whisper and Sandra lost their lives. It truly was a very sad evening but folks came together to honor the lives of Whisper and baby Sandra. A beautiful sunset of blazing hues of purple, blue, and pink peeked over the orchard nearby. As the sunset gave way to nightfall, family and friends placed flowers near the flickering candles along the water’s edge. It was a special moment when diver Juan Heredia walked to the edge of the water and kneeled, silently paying his respects to a mother lost and her precious child. As he knelt to pay his respects, out of nowhere, came two white ducklings gently floating by where he kneeled. On the nearby highway, several vehicles slowed out of respect for the grieving family as they passed by. Up above a drone captured the scene; a scene that allowed this grieving family to say goodbye to their loved ones. A special thank you to Adventures With Purpose, to diver Juan Heredia, to law enforcement and to all who helped bring Whisper and baby Sandra home; may they rest in God’s loving arms.
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This week we share news that our Valley Home neighbor has pasture hay for sale; please call me or text me at 209-985-5233 and I will put you in touch with her!
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Our August Fire Board meeting was well attended, with much information discussed and shared. The meeting was held in Valley Home; the September meeting will be held in Knights Ferry. I hope you will all come.
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As always, you may reach me by email at winniemullins51@gmail.com or by text or telephone at 209-985-5233.
Until next time … May God bring comfort to those who have lost their loved ones.
