Valora (Hart) Mayer

Valora Jean Mayer departed this life on May 3, 2023, surrounded by the love and adoration of her three daughters, at 86 years of age. Valora was born December 30, 1936, in Macomb, Missouri, to Ellis and Gertrude (Oetting) Hart. She was raised on a small farm, alongside her sisters, Patsy, Eleanor and Judith. They were fondly known as the Hart Sisters and sang beloved hymns in harmony for family, friends and community events. Valora was a talented artist with one of her earliest paintings still displayed on the walls of her hometown church.

Following high school, Valora attended Southwest Missouri State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. After college, she took her first job as an elementary school teacher in Washington, Missouri. She then moved to Kansas City, where she worked as Supervisor in the Litho Art Department of Hallmark Cards. She met and married Lloyd Mayer and soon left her career to raise her three daughters, Lisa, Tara and Robin. Valora longed to return to her roots and moved with her family to Mountain Grove, Missouri, where they built a beautiful home and established their Brangus cattle ranch. Valora spent her days raising her three girls, managing the ranch, substitute teaching and further pursuing her life’s passion of painting. Valora exhibited and sold her work in art shows throughout the state, receiving many ribbons and multiple “Best of Show” awards. She served as Community Chairman for the local Art Guild of the Ozarks and belonged to the Springfield Visual Arts Alliance.

In later years, Valora spread her wings and moved to Osage Beach, Missouri, O’Fallon, Missouri, and finally Chico, California, where she made many new friends and was adored by all that had the good fortune to know her. She was wise, witty, charismatic and never without a good story or a lively song to lift the spirits of her family and friends.

Valora was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Mayer; sisters, Patsy Hart, Judith (Hart) Summers, Eleanor (Hart) Matzeder; parents, Ellis and Gertrude (Oetting) Hart; brothers-in-law, Dwayne Summers, Joe Matzeder, Harlan Mayer; and great-nephew, Michael Matzeder.

Valora is survived and cherished eternally by her daughters, Lisa Mayer, Tara Mayer, Robin (Mayer) Chien (Bobby); granddaughters, Tessa Harrison, Chloe Harrison, Jaiden Gatchalian, Ivy Sayre; grandsons, Devon Gatchalian (Natsumi), Saul Mooradian; and great-grandson, Hinata Gatchalian. She is fondly remembered by nieces, Julie (Summers) Roy (Douglas), Vicki (Matzeder) Welch (Patrick), Emily (Mayer) Baird, Marjorie (Mayer) Lawston; nephews, Joe Matzeder (Julia), James Matzeder; great nieces Lindsey (Welch) Baribeau, Casey Welch, Ashley (Matzeder) Blacketer, Aurianna Roy; great nephews, Jeffery Matzeder, Arden Roy; cousins, Sammy Quessenberry (Lola), Mark Quessenberry (Denise), Serena (Quessenberry) Spivey; extended family, Mark Harrison, Daniel Gatchalian; lifelong friends, Henrietta Christensen, Diane LaFevers and many other cousins, friends, and caregivers.