Mom escaped her earthly pain and entered her heavenly home on April 27, 2019 in Yakima, WA. She was born Minnie Bernice Valentine in Kelso, WA on September 22, 1925 to William R. and Augusta Houghey Valentine. She grew up being called Bernice and only upon marrying into a family with another member with the same name did she assume the name “Val” by which most people knew her.
Mom started school in Naches, WA and continued in Elk, WA. There she skipped 2nd grade since she was the only one in that class in a one-room school. She graduated from Kelso High School in 1942 and, shortly after graduation, moved with her family to Naches where she worked in the fruit industry until she earned enough money to move to Yakima to continue working in various positions, including the County Library, Hazel’s Candy Shop and Pritchard’s Printing.
She married Ralph Perrault on May 4, 1948 in Yakima, where they made their home and the first four of their seven children were born. They later moved to Moxee where she was a home maker until their seventh child was a year old and she started doing child day care, which she continued for 30 years, and cared for two generations of some of her families.
Mom was best known by the kids of Moxee for the haunted houses she created and acting as a witch on Halloween. Mom loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and enjoyed sharing. She was active in Holy Rosary Parish and a longtime member of the Ladies of St. Anne. She was passionate about reading and continued to enjoy the excitement and mystery. She was instrumental in the formation of the Moxee Library League to help support the local branch of the Regional Library and sponsor community events. One of her greatest prides was helping three ESL students attain their citizenship through her tutoring in her home.
In 2007, she found it necessary to move from the family home, lived in Sun Tower for several years and made her final home at Fieldstone Orchard West.
She is survived by six children: Renee (Richard) Gillaspie, Yakima; Mike Perrault, Yakima; Denise (John) Herman, Cowiche; Diane Evert, Yakima; David Perrault, Moxee; and Kent (Tamara) Perrault, Meridian, ID; eight grandchildren: Jacob, Andrea and Aaron Gillaspie; Chris and Todd Perrault; Brandon Evert; Jonelle Gates and Caitie Poulsen; nine great-grandchildren; sisters: Connie Valentine, Wenatchee and Ruth Theis, Vancouver, WA; sister-in-law June Perrault, Yakima; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; son, Doug; grandson, Ryan; daughter-in-law, Donna; sisters, Jeri and Carolyn; brother, Bill; and a special four-legged companion, Tom.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Cemetery Foundation, American Heart Association or Moxee Library League in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Friday, May 3 from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. A Vigil service will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with a committal service following at Holy Rosary Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be share at www.keithandkeith.com.
