Valerie Hobson, iconic British actress, passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on November 13, 1998. Born in 1917 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Valerie was a respected part of British filmmaking for over 25 years. Valerie first made a name for herself in the 1930s in the theater, with notable performances in The Importance of Being Earnest and The Lady with the Lamp. She went on to break into film, featuring in the 1938 Alfred Hitchcock film The Lady Vanishes and starring in The Shepherd of the Hills and Tom Brown's School Days. During the 1940s, Valerie appeared in several popular films including Major Barbara, They Flew Alone, and Great Expectations. She is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs. De Winter in the 1940 screen adaptation of Rebecca, for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Valerie's career was stalled in the late 1940s due to her status as a conscientious objector, yet she later found success in the 1950s and 1960s in stage, television, and radio performances. Her career eventually came to an end in 1971, and Valerie went on to be an advocate for social justice, speaking out in favor of animal rights, peace, and vegetarianism. Valerie will be deeply missed by her extended family and friends. She will be fondly remembered for her incredible contributions to the world of soft and devoted performance.