Valerie J. Hanna died in the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001. She was born on September 6, 1944, in Philadelphia, PA. She is predeceased by her father, Parker D. Hanna, JR. in 1990 and her son, Joel Robertson in 1993.

Valerie Hanna graduated as valedictorian of her high school class from Holland Patent, NY in 1962. She attended Michigan State University, Fairleigh-Dickinson and received her master''s degree from Fairleigh-Dickinson University. She worked for Marsh McLennan as a Senior Vice President of Technology, working there for over 7 years.

Ms. Hanna married Glenn Hughes in July of 1972.

Valerie Hanna was a caring and giving person, who, along with her own three children, provided a home to 17 foster children, all the while, working her way through college and graduate school and rising up the corporate ladder. She was an inspiration and encouraging influence on many people in her life, including her children, foster children, grandchildren, family members and co-workers. She was a problem solver, with a scientific, keen and inquisitive mind, an avid reader who looked for solutions to environmental issues, global conflict and was fascinated by scientific research of outer space. In addition, Valerie loved the farm that she and her husband, Glenn Hughes bought in Dryden, NY. She loved gardening, planting trees, vegetables and especially flowers. She delighted in their flocks of chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks and their brown llama and goat. It was her dream to buy her own mini-farm and she achieved it two years ago. Valerie loved to travel and had visited Japan, Australia, Chili and many European countries.

Valerie Hanna was the beloved daughter of Joan Haviland and husband, Richard Haviland of Lansing, NY. Her stepmother, Mary T. Hanna of Walla Walla, Washington was of great importance to her. She leaves behind her husband, Glenn Hughes who lives in Dryden, NY; her daughter Lydia Robertson and granddaughter, Charlotte of New York City; her daughter Denene Ray of Charlotte, North Carolina and husband Jeff Ray and their two children, Emma & Jenni; foster son Victor Arencibia; sister: Barbara Hanna, and her husband Edward Ball of Banning, California and daughters Judy Sheldon, Caroline Sheldon, and her son Michael Hanna of New York City. In addition, her brother, Sherman Hanna, and his wife Suzanne Lindamood and their daughter, Emily Hanna of Columbus, Ohio, survive her. Her sister, Kathleen Hanna of Queensbury, NY and husband, Brian Lee and their two children, Jessamyn and Benjamin Lee, also survives her. Also, several cousins, aunts and uncle, foster children and close friends.

A Memorial service will be conducted at the First Unitarian Church of Ithaca, on 306 N. Aurora Street, at 1pm on Sunday, September 30, 2001. The family suggests donations in Valerie Hanna''s name to some of her favorite charities: The Red Cross, National Public Radio, Planned Parenthood, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas.