PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Valerie Orean Elizabeth Hamilton, 61, of 19 South John St., Pittsfield, Mass., passed away early Saturday morning, July 7, 2018, after a short illness. 

Valerie was born in North Adams, Mass., the daughter of Carlton Hamilton and Mabel Amos Hamilton. Val was a long time resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She graduated from Taconic High, class of 1975. She was the Captain of the 1974-75 Taconic High Girls Basketball team. She later graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1979, with a bachelor’s degree.

Valerie spent her adult life committed to community service with a focus on serving youth in Boston, Atlanta and Pittsfield. She was a teacher and youth advocate for 15 years in the Boston Public School system. One of the highlights of her time in Boston was serving as the community liaison for Boston Red Sox slugger, Mo Vaughn. 

Val also established several programs for youth in Pittsfield, including the Youth Initiative Program YIP, Star Child Affairs, The Carlton Foundation, Dunk Out Violence and most recently, the popular summer basketball league for high school students. 

Valerie is survived by her mother, Mabel Hamilton; her two brothers, Curtis and Bobby Hamilton; as well as her sister Julie and brother-in-law Kenny Davis; a host of nieces and nephews, including Schuyler and Jhyllian Goines, Sharrod, Quincy, Glenda and Erica Davis, Dance Hamilton and Christina Lewis. 

She was preceded by her father, Carlton; and brother C.J Hamilton.

Funeral notice: Funeral services and wake will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018, at Price A.M.E Zion Church, located at 163 Linden St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. The viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. and the funeral will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Interment will be at Southview Cemetery, 1042 Church St., North Adams, Mass. Repast will be held at the GEAA - The Tavern on the A. Crane Ave, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be payable to Mabel Hamilton on behalf of the Valerie and Carlton Hamilton Scholarship Fund, in care of Dery Funeral Home. 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield MA 01201.