Venay Money, a longtime Clallam County veterans advocate, was remembered in a celebration Saturday at the Clallam County Veterans Center.
Money died Jan. 21 after a short battle with a rare form of gallbladder cancer, according to her family.
She was 76.
“I just can’t stress enough how much she loved her veterans and cared about them,” said Denise Agee, Money’s eldest child. “She just had that way of making you feel comfortable and cared for.
“She had a heart of gold.”
Money, who was affectionately known by veterans as “Big Momma,” received a Clallam County Community Service Award for her volunteerism and advocacy in 2013.
She was described at the award ceremony as a “spirited and dedicated advocate for veterans across Clallam County who has spent the past 25 years making sure those who have served our country in war are respected, honored and thanked.”
“Venay was an amazing person who gave everything to the veterans of our community,” said Tammy Sullenger, former Clallam County veterans coordinator.
“People looked to her as a mother.”
Money was president of Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary 1024 in Port Angeles and past district president for auxiliaries in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
She had been active in veterans affairs on the North Olympic Peninsula since she joined the auxiliary about 30 years ago.
“She was always telling me how much she loved the veterans,” said John Kent, current commander of VFW Post 1024. “That was her life.”
In addition to supporting the VFW, Money was a founding member and secretary of Voices for Veterans, a Clallam County nonprofit that assists homeless veterans, veterans in need and their families.
Money was in charge of the clothing line for the annual Voices for Veterans Stand Down events in Forks, Port Angeles and Port Townsend.
She also was local transportation coordinator for Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, which provides vans for local veterans seeking medical care at the VA hospital in Seattle.
“She wanted the veterans to get to their appointments on time,” Agee said.
“And she cared about the drivers. You really have to depend on the drivers.”
Money was secretary of the Clallam County Veterans Center, where she provided assistance to veterans returning from war with injuries or mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
“With her being here every day, she was kind of a first contact for veterans coming in,” Kent said.
“She would always give a helping hand.”
In 2012, Money received the prestigious Outstanding Service to Veterans Award from the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the nation in conjunction with the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.
As a non-veteran volunteer, Agee said, “that was a pretty big honor.”
Money was featured in the 2012 Auburn Veterans Day Parade as the Non-Veteran Volunteer of the Year. She received a rousing ovation from family and friends at the parade, Agee recalled.
Even in her later years, Money remained a “selfless” volunteer for Clallam County veterans, Sullenger said.
“It was pretty outstanding,” Kent said.
“She was in her mid 70s when a lot of people had retired. She was working tirelessly, especially with the DAV.”
Money, who raised six children as a single mother, moved to Port Angeles in 1978. She fell in love with the area and called it “God’s country,” Agee said.
Agee said the Big Momma nickname was coined by a veteran at a Stand Down, where veterans can access food, clothing and a variety of services.
“She always had a big hug for everybody,” Agee said.
In addition to her work on behalf of veterans, Money supported the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society and Port Angeles Food Bank, among other organizations.
She volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul in Bremerton and ran a daycare clinic in Port Angeles.
“Every baby that came into the house got nothing but love,” Agee said.
Money introduced Christmas Around the World to Port Angeles, operated Santa Surplus and decorated trees for the Festival of Trees for 18 years.
After receiving the Clallam County Community Service Award in 2013, Money said, “It means so much to me to get these awards, but you know, just helping the veterans is the biggest reward you could have.”
Money is survived by six children, 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.
The family asked that donations be made to any veterans organization.
Rob Ollikainen is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
