Valerie Grace De Paoli

Valerie Grace (Woszczynski) De Paoli was born on July 30, 1939. She grew up on a small farm in Langley B.C. amongst a clan of many relatives where she learned the value of family. Mom was a tomboy who loved farm life and sports, was close to her parents and had a special bond with her father, a quiet soft mannered Polish immigrant.

She had an older sister whom she would visit often and was with her through to her end.

Mom was educated at UBC, inspired by her mother and moved to Sparwood, B.C. to pursue her career in teaching.

This is where she met and married dad, Dino De Paoli. They shared an interest in sports and they curled together for many years.

Mom had many friends but was very much a homebody. She loved baking and made the most delicious cookies and desserts. She also spent many hours knitting and crocheting for her friends and family.

She was widowed in middle age but managed a big move back to the lower mainland to North Vancouver to be close to her kids as we pursued our education and careers.

Mom was always "proper" and her daughter kept things interesting for her by pushing boundaries but did give her twin granddaughters whom she loved and adored.

She was closest to her son who was "always" there for her. She was so happy that he married such a complimentary partner.

As with most, mom faced many challenges but what she modeled mostly through her life was compassion, kindness and resilience.

Mom loved cats and was a ferocious reader, and even as her mind declined she retained the most eloquent vocabulary.

Mom was a simple person who did not bother with fancy material things. What mom loved most was family. And in the end, that is all that matters.

Love and miss you mom.