03/29/2026
Obituary For Valerie Kay Hubbard
Valerie Kay Hubbard, 60, passed away from a long-term illness on March 19, 2026, at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, CA.
Valerie Kay was born November 8, 1965, to Raymond and Patsy Ernst at Fort Carson U.S. Army Base near Colorado Springs, CO. She spent her toddler years in Torrington, WY. and then moved with her parents to Sacramento, CA where she attended elementary school and then high school at Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, CA.
She moved to Redding, CA. in 1982. She started her own home daycare named Little Blessings as she put herself through night classes at Shasta College. She then graduated from the Shasta College Registered Nursing Program, Class of 1997. Shortly thereafter, she was hired as an R.N. at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff, CA.
Valerie Kay later worked at Mercy Medical Center-Redding and St. Mary’s Stanyan Hospital in San Francisco. She worked in many departments during her 20-year career, including L & D, E.R., endoscopy, CICU, and she was very proud to work alongside the San Francisco Giants orthopedic surgeon Kenneth Akizuki, M.D.
Valerie Kay’s time was most enjoyed with her husband Andrew, with her children and grandchildren, and her loving canine Cooper. She loved rollerblading, mountain biking, snowboarding, golfing, and playing on a hockey team with Andrew and son Joshua. She
loved to take summer camping trips to Harris Beach in Brookings, OR. which she later turned into a family tradition. Our family finds peace and comfort knowing that Valerie Kay will be resting with Our Father in heaven. Valerie loved to worship Jesus Christ and to read the Lord’s word.
Valerie Kay was greeted in heaven by her grandparents and her father, Raymond Ernst, her
sisters; Loleta Ernst and MaKenzie Knighten, and brother, Anthony Knighten. Valerie Kay is survived by her husband of 11 years, Andrew Hubbard, mother, Patsy Knighten & Gary, father & mother-in-law Bill & Dee Hubbard. In addition, her loving children; daughter, Ashley Kay Schwalbe, sons; Bucky Duggan, Joshua Duggan & Alexandria, and Christian Pearson & Haley. As well as sisters; Heather Gard & Kevin, and MaKylee McMahon & Jaiden. She adored her 5 grandchildren: Arbour, Stormy, Elliana Kay, Selah, and Dallas.
The family will be planning a Celebration of Life for Valerie Kay at a later time, we will post
on Valerie Kay’s page.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in Valerie Kay Hubbard’s name can be made at
the following: Bay Area Lyme Foundation- www.bayarealyme.org/get-involved/donate/BreastCancerResearchFoundation-www.bcrf.org/donate
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed
up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NKJV