Holly Wright, a friend of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz, hands out candles during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Holly Wright, a friend of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz, hands out candles during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

More than 100 mourn Port Angeles woman, her children at City Pier vigil

Kambeitz family remembered at mother’s favorite place to bring her kids

PORT ANGELES — Parents held their crying children close as more than 100 people mourned Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly Kambeitz, 9, Emma Kambeitz, 6, and Jayden Kambeitz, 5, during a vigil in their honor Monday.

Many held candles and flowers as they gathered at the Port Angeles City Pier, a place family friend Holly Wright said was Kambeitz’s favorite place to take her kids.

Many of those who attended knew Kambeitz from her time volunteering at the Port Angeles Food Bank, where Kambeitz “gave herself when she served,” said former director Jessica Hernandez.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Hernandez described Kambeitz as a loving woman who cared for others and especially cared for her children. She was gentle, tender, sweet and soft, Hernandez said.

“Anybody who knew Val knew immediately upon meeting her how big her heart was,” she said. “She was humble and loving and we’re all going to miss her.”

Angelia Batton embraces her daughter Sapphire Batton, 9, after Sapphire read letters she wrote for Valerie Kambeitz, and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Angelia Batton embraces her daughter Sapphire Batton, 9, after Sapphire read letters she wrote for Valerie Kambeitz, and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Valerie and her three children are presumed dead after the remains of four people were found in their charred home at the Welcome Inn RV Park on Saturday.

Kambeitz’s husband since May, Matthew Timothy Wetherington, 34, is accused to killing all four and setting the mobile home on fire. On Monday he was ordered held in the Clallam County jail on $5 million bail and prosecutors are expected to file charges of arson and four counts of aggravated first-degree murder Wednesday.

Wright, a longtime family friend, gave a statement to reporters on behalf of the family Monday. She said family members are devastated and were not able to attend the vigil.

A woman and two children look over photos of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

A woman and two children look over photos of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

“This has been a very, very crushing blow to the family,” said Wright, who has known the Kambeitz family since 1992.

“I just keep thinking about her babies,” Hernandez said. “I’m a mom with two small kids myself, so it’s hard to imagine someone wanting to hurt children and their mother. I’m definitely losing sleep.”

Hernandez said Valerie was one of the first volunteers she worked with when she started at the Food Bank six years ago.

“All she ever spoke about was her kids,” Hernandez said. “Her kids were her pride and joy. That is what she lived for. She was a tremendous mother and did a lot for them.”

Sapphire Batton, one of Lilly’s friends, stood on the stage at the pier and shared letters that she wrote for Kambeitz and the three children.

“Lilly, it’s hard to say goodbye,” she wrote. “I never thought I’d be saying goodbye to you like this. You never think it’s going to be the last time.

“You were my best friend and I never thought I’d be losing you.”

She wrote that Kambeitz was “such a good and nice mom.”

“You were so hard working and always took good care of your kids,” Sapphire wrote. “They were so nice and happy and loved you so much.”

Peyton Guthrie, 13, left, and Jordan Guthrie, 9, hold a sign that says “Lilly, I will miss you, friend. Love, Jordan” during a vigil for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Peyton Guthrie, 13, left, and Jordan Guthrie, 9, hold a sign that says “Lilly, I will miss you, friend. Love, Jordan” during a vigil for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Lilly and Emma most recently attended Jefferson Elementary School, but Lilly had previously attended Franklin Elementary.

Lilly’s first-grade teacher Sarah Schaefermeyer, said Lilly had impeccable attendance and she would always see the whole family.

“I just have nice memories of Valerie coming in every day, walking Lilly in every day with Emma and Jayden with her,” Schaefermeyer said. “They would visit every morning. They were excited to be there and always on time.”

Photos of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Photos of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Schaefermeyer said Lilly was one of the first kids to participate in a garden project at the school.

“She was really positive, kind and just a really sweet girl,” she said. “Always worked really hard and tried really hard and was nice to be around.”

Schaefermeyer said she is still in shock that all four are gone.

“It’s devastating and I feel so bad for their family,” she said. “I will always treasure that time of having her and getting to know them.”

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.

Holly Wright, a friend of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz, receives a hug during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Holly Wright, a friend of Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz, receives a hug during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Two people embrace during a vigil for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Two people embrace during a vigil for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

People leave notes on a sky lantern for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

People leave notes on a sky lantern for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz during a vigil in their honor Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Stuffed animals sit on the stage at the Port Angeles City Pier during a vigil for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Stuffed animals sit on the stage at the Port Angeles City Pier during a vigil for Valerie Kambeitz and her children Lilly, Emma and Jayden Kambeitz on Monday. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

More in News

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state