Valerie married Major Ian Hunter Gordon. Specific dating is not readily available, but it occurred post-WWII, likely in the mid-1940s.

Valerie became a mother. This period of raising her children and struggling with the inefficiency and discomfort of traditional cloth nappies sparked the idea for a disposable nappy system. The repetitive washing and drying of cloth nappies motivated her to seek a more convenient solution.

Valerie balanced her roles as a mother and homemaker with her entrepreneurial ventures. The needs of her family directly informed her inventions, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.