Valentina would often recount wonderful memories of her hometown; that love stayed with her up until the end. Even though she left Ljubinje for Mostar at the age of 15, she  always returned to visit.

Her love of her hometown is best demonstrated by two decisions she made in some of the toughest moments of her life.

The first time, during the war at Sarajevo in May, 1992, she left Sarajevo with many options of places she could go. Immediately, she expressed,“I am going to Ljubinje. I am a physician and that is where I am needed”.

The second time was when she became aware that she was losing her battle with terminal illness. She declared ,again, “I am going to Ljubinje”.