VALERY BROWN

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VALERY BROWN 1945 - 2008 Valery (Val) Brown (nee Hodgson) formerly of Russell, MB and recently of Carman, MB passed away peacefully with her family at her side at the Carman Memorial Hospital on November 2, 2008. She battled scleroderma for the past 10 years only to lose her life after a courageous one year battle with lung cancer. Val will be lovingly remembered by her husband and soulmate of 44 years, Dale of Carman; son Jay and wife Tricia along with two cherished grandsons, Jaxen and Griffin; and treasured daughter Robin of Winnipeg. Also her sister Pat (Floyd) Checkley of Carman; brother Brian (Marg) Hodgson of Brandon; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and a number of very special friends. Val was predeceased by her mother Madeleine Hodgson; sisters, Jan Hryciw and Madeleine (Bae) Milne/Nordquist; brother Bill Hodgson; brothers-in-law, Myron Hryciw and Leask Milne; nephew Darren Milne; father Clarence Hodgson and stepmother Ethel; mother and father-in-law, Charlie and Margaret Brown; sisters-in-law, Kay Truscott/Tocher and Norma Phair, and many aunts and uncles. Val was born, raised, and attended school in Manitou, MB. She participated in most sports but excelled in fastball and figure skating. She also sang in the junior choir and played in the town band. In 1963, Val began working as a telephone operator for the Manitoba Telephone System in Manitou. Val married Dale Brown of La Riviere, MB in 1964. They began their married life in Killarney, then Glenboro, and in 1971 moved to Russell to open a clothing store, Dale's of Russell, which they operated for 35 years. Their son Jay came into their lives in 1967 and the family was complete when their daughter Robin arrived in 1970. Val was a stay home mom and enjoyed the time spent with her children, watching them learn and grow. This was a very special time in her life, and she was so proud of them. Val really valued family gatherings to celebrate Christmas, Thanks-giving and other holidays. As the children grew up she began working as a bookkeeper, teaching herself the skills required such as typing, basic accounting and computer operations. She worked for the Regional Employment Resource Centre for 13 years in Russell, as well as assisted in the family business. Val was involved in many sporting activities as a participant and an organizer. Although she had not skated in years, she took a refresher course when the local skating club was short of instructors. She also assisted and supported Dale with his involvement in many community activities. Curling bonspiels and socializing were an important part of her life. Val or Blondie , as her curling friends called her really enjoyed these activities. She was on a number of ladies, mixed and seniors teams that represented the zone in Manitoba playoffs. Val's second love was golfing and most evenings and Sundays would see her and Dale out on the course. She always enjoyed taking part in the ladies golf club activities and of course, the 19th hole . Before scleroderma slowed her down, Val and Dale would spend special holiday time with their camper and golf cart touring golf clubs and campgrounds. While Jay and Robin were growing up Val spent a lot of time supervising and hosting backyard pool parties with family and friends. They also enjoyed a number of family holidays to Disney Land, Disney World and a train trip to Ontario. The family sport was skiing and most Easter breaks would see them packing up the van with friends and heading to the mountains for ski holidays. When Val could no longer participate in active sports she spent more time playing bridge, socializing with the girls, reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing computer games, but she always made time to watch the Young and the Restless and House. Most Friday nights you could find her at happy hour at the Russell Inn with Dale and the crew playing the slots and having a Val Drink (vodka, 7up and cranberry). Val had a soft spot for animals and always had a cat for a pet: Figgie, Pepper and Tinker to name a few. She enjoyed dog sitting for Jay as well as watching and feeding the deer that would wander into the yard. Val was very proud of her family, which was complete when her two grandsons arrived. She stated that she had a good life even if it was too short. She will always be remembered for her friendly nature, her big smile, her contagious laugh, her perfect blond hair, her not so perfect jokes, and her favourite expressions oh heavenly days or stick it . Scleroderma and cancer took Val's life but they will not take her heart from us. We will forever cherish our memories of Val, even when tomorrow comes without her. A celebration of Val's life was held on Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Knox United Church in Russell, MB with Rev. David Howell officiating. The interment service was held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the La Riviere Riverside Cemetery. Braendle Bruce Funeral Services of Russell was in charge of the arrangements. If friends so desire, donations in Val's memory, can be made to Scleroderma Association of Manitoba, 105-386 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R6; South Central Cancer Resource, 2-160 Stephen Street, Morden, MB R6M 1T3; or Carman Palliative Care, Box 610, Carman, MB R0G 0J0.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2008