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Kevin Atkinson, Julie Cook & Hannah McIlveen
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Kathleen Gibbs lit a candle
Monday, January 23, 2023
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Kathleen Gibbs posted a condolence
Monday, January 23, 2023
Dear Val,
From all that you have shared with me, your dear Mom was treasured and loved beyond measure. I am so sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to you and your family. While it will not ease the sadness, or fill the inevitable void that your Mom's passing has left behind, I hope that you find comfort in the many wonderful memories that you made with your her, the bond that you shared, and the knowledge that her tremendous love for you will be with you for always.
With much love and a big comforting hug, Kathleen
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Leah eldridge lit a candle
Friday, January 7, 2022
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Granny you were a wonderful beautiful woman with a heart of gold and will never be forgotten
My kids and i love you today tomorrow and always and we are so greatful to have had you in our lives we love you so much we will miss you terribly but we know you are looking down on us each and every day we have so many great memories with you.
Gone but never ever forgotten
Xoxoxoxo
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Valerie Grant lit a candle
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
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Valerie Veronica Cox
April 1, 1926 – December 30, 2021
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Valerie was born in Łowce, Poland in 1926 and emigrated to Saskatchewan in 1929 along with her mom and brother Eugene (her father Nicholas had previously emigrated to Canada to homestead in Saskatchewan in May 1927).
They sailed on the steamship Empress of Scotland along with many others who came to Canada at that time to make a new life. Maria, our Granny, talked about the boat ride to Canada from Europe. She was so sick the entire way and was terrified that little Valerie and toddler Eugene would fall over the side of the ship. She had no energy to chase after them so she tied them to her apron strings to keep them safe on the voyage. It must have been so tough and we were always impressed with their strength.
They homesteaded in Choiceland, Saskatchewan and Maria and Nicholas had two more girls. Valerie loved her two younger sisters, Stella and Mary, who left us several years ago. Mary, the youngest, looked up to her big sister Valerie and often spoke to her own children about how strong her eldest sister was, raising six children and working and sacrificing so much in her life. The sisters bonded over games of Scrabble and the sharing of good food and shared memories of the farm in Choiceland, Saskatchewan. It is wonderful to think of the three sisters together again, laughing and sharing the creativity and love that they clearly have in common.
At the age of 18, Valerie joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in Regina and was eventually stationed at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario. After World War II ended in 1945, she settled in Toronto to study dress design. She decided to return to London to join her parents and sisters who had moved from Saskatchewan (Eugene had joined the Navy). She worked at Lawson & Jones as a graphic designer.
She met and married Owen Cox (d. 2005) and they had six children. Valerie was a creative and artistic woman, an accomplished cook, baker, sewer, knitter and decorator. In her 40s, she completed her education in Business Administration at Fanshawe College. She also learned carpentry and furniture refinishing. She could always be found painting walls, stripping a floor or a door, tiling a bathroom and working on many other projects. She knitted baby clothes for all of us when we were babies and made lovely sweaters, scarves and hats for us when we were adults. She made wedding cakes, wedding dresses and many clothing articles for herself. Her crafts would often be on display at the Catholic Women’s League Annual Christmas Bazaar.
Mom worked many years for the Federal Government and retired at the age of 67. She continued to be involved in many projects and clubs and was always involved with her Church and St. Peter’s Catholic Women’s League.
Mom was a woman of great faith and she shared her love of God with all who knew her. If you had a problem, and talked to her about it, she always said, “I’ll pray for you. All will be well.” She is very close to the Blessed Virgin Mary and often she could be heard imploring her help for her children and friends. She constantly reminded us that the Blessed Mother would lead us to her Son Jesus. I recall the times she took all of us to Mass here at St. Peter’s as children. No talking, no running around, we had to sit quietly and participate in the Latin Mass.
In 2015, Mom became aware that her heart was not working as it should and was diagnosed with heart failure. She found it more difficult to care for her garden and home so she sold her house and moved to Picton Street in downtown London. There, she joined an exercise/dance class at age 90 - the instructor referred to Mom as a “ray of sunshine that walked into the room” and would joke “girls, try to keep up with Valerie”! She also went for long walks, played Scrabble and did countless crossword puzzles (a hobby she shared with her brother Eugene).
In 2019, she was admitted to hospital again and it was recommended that she undergo an aortic implant which she received in March 2020. As it was during the beginning of the pandemic lockdown, she realized that she had a lot of work to do to stay healthy. We walked every day, twice a day. In November of 2020, she fell and broke her shoulder. She could no longer hold onto the walker for her daily walks and her heart began to fail again. She spent the entire summer of 2021 going back and forth to the hospital. Finally, she’d had enough and asked to remain in her home if nothing else could be done to cure her. The St. Joseph’s Hospice Palliative Care Outreach Team was contacted and all was set into motion for her care. She was so happy to be in her own home, in her LA-Z-BOY lounging chair with her family around her and her crossword puzzles and books, her prayers and Rosary and her TV channel tuned to EWTN.
Family members took turns masking up and visiting her the last several months and we took many photographs and shared many happy memories. Her brother Eugene visited and on December 30th he phoned her and I held the phone to her ear and he said, “I love you” to her. Her niece Margaret (Mary’s oldest daughter) came to visit her and Mom recognized her and spoke to her. She was lucid until the very end and just quietly went to sleep.
In the early morning hours of December 28, she had a message for me and one of the nurses – she woke up from a sleep and said in a strong voice, “You have to have the patience of Job!” and promptly went back to sleep. I was amused and got the Bible and started reading Job. The day shift nurse was told the same thing and we marvelled at the significance of those words. I believe Mom was trying to tell us that even in these very difficult times, we have to have the patience of Job because we are truly living in a time of trial. Thus we included a reading from Job at her funeral.
Mom, you sacrificed so much for your family, so strong, so understanding, so loving. You are beautiful inside and out! Mom, thank you for sharing your love and sacrifice with us. Thank you for sharing your faith in God and teaching us His Ways. Thank you for raising us to have respect for life at all stages from conception to natural death. By your life, you taught us how to be strong and remain humble and trusting in the Sight of God. Thank you for holding us up when we were weak and pointing us towards leaning on Almighty God. We love you and pray that you rest in His Perpetual Light forever.
Always in our hearts and minds
Kochamy Cię
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Kevin Atkinson, Julie Cook & Hannah McIlveen purchased flowers
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
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Kevin Atkinson, Julie Cook & Hannah McIlveen
purchased the Fairest of All for the family of Valerie Cox.
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Deepest sympathies to Val, Teresa, Geoffrey, Angie, Bobby, Lizzie & Family. Your Mum rests in God's Peace. Much love from Kevin, Julie & Hannah
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The Walczak/Atkinson family purchased flowers
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
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The Walczak/Atkinson family
purchased the Full Of Love Bouquet and planted a memorial tree for the family of Valerie Cox.
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Remembering our dear Ciocia with so much love. Lots of love from cousins Margaret, Sarah, Kevin, Aaron, and Anna and families
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Donna Cebulski posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
So sorry to hear of her passing…she was one of a kind. Such a special lady. Sending hugs and condolences to all…Donna Cebulski (McCormick)
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Jette posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Remembering a truly lovely lady! Sincerely Ray,Jette Collins and family
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Marie Sawa posted a condolence
Monday, January 3, 2022
To Valerie’s family, my sincere condolences.
Love and prayers.
Marie
A Memorial Tree was planted for Valerie Cox
Sunday, January 2, 2022
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Donohue Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Valerie Veronica Cox uploaded a photo
Saturday, January 1, 2022
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Thursday
6
January
Visitation
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday, January 6, 2022
John T. Donohue Funeral Home
362 Waterloo Street
London, Ontario, Canada
519 434-2708
Registration is required.
Please email donohue@donohuefuneralhome.ca with your name, phone number and time preference.
4:00pm - 4:30pm
4:30pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 5:30pm
5:30pm - 6:00pm
Need Directions?
Friday
7
January
Funeral Mass
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Friday, January 7, 2022
St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica
196 Dufferin Ave.
London, Ontario, Canada
Registration is required.
Please email donohue@donohuefuneralhome.ca with your name, phone number.
Need Directions?
Interment
St. Peter's Cemetery
806 Victoria Street
London, Ontario, Canada
519 451-9120
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About Us
Donohue Funeral Home has been serving all faiths and cultures for over 80 years. We offer services personalized to the family’s needs. Be it a traditional funeral or alternative service, we will fulfill the wishes of the family.
Our Location
362 Waterloo Street,
London, ON N6B 2N6
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Phone:(519) 434-2708
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