Valna J. Cantor

Valna “Val” J. Cantor, 89 years of Metamora, passed away in palliative care at Carle Methodist Hospital in Peoria on Monday, August 11, 2025, after an exemplary and exceptional life. She left this world on her terms with her adoring family by her side.

Born in Chicago, IL on February 14, 1936, to Frieda and Sol Schwartz. Val was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mort Cantor; son, Ross Cantor; sister, Sharlene “Sherri” Becker and brother-in-law, Bill Becker; and son in law, Frank Bussone.

Val is survived by her son, Steven (Jacqueline Munoz) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter, Lisa Cantor of East Peoria, daughter, Julie (Tim) Cox of East Peoria; Son-in-law, Joe Wright of Washington, Daughter-in-law, Susan Cantor, 6 grandchildren; Travis (Kelsey) Cox, Ryan (McKenzie Pearson) Cox, Adam (Morgan Brockhouse) Cox, Matthew Cox (fiancé Megan Schilling), Taylor (Brandon) Hughes and Carson Wright; 10 great-grandchildren; Sophia, Leia, Lucy, Leland, Juliette, Shiloh, Reggie, Corinne, Emerson, Colter and Sawyer #11 on the way.

She was born and raised in Chicago and attended Austin High School graduating at age 17 as a member of the National Honor Society. She then attended Wright Junior College in Chicago, taking two buses to get there, while also working at a Chicago Country Club. She then left college to work full time at an insurance agency in downtown Chicago. Wanting to return to college, she attended Roosevelt University on Michigan Avenue, which she paid for herself. She then met and married Peorian, Mort Cantor in 1956 and moved to Peoria when she was 19 years old. They were married 39 years until Mort’s passing in 1995.

She was a completely devoted wife to Mort and mother to her four children: Ross, Steven, Lisa and Julie. A constant presence and influence in their lives with all school functions, swimming classes and competitions, tumbling lessons, music lessons, art lessons, enrollment in summer camps, and served as a Cub Scout den mother. She spent many years accompanying her husband, Mort on Bradley Basketball games and on softball games and tournaments all over the country with his women’s summer softball teams.

Val started working in 1972 for RL White Homes Guide selling advertising. She then bought a TV Facts Magazine franchise, traveling to New York for a week for training. She sold that magazine in 1985. She then answered a want ad in the Peoria Journal Star in the investment field. Having passed tests for investments, insurance and limited partnerships, she went to work as a Certified Financial Advisor for IDS, now Ameriprise. She retired from that profession after 15 years but continued to be a savvy investor and strategist with the stock market. She loved sharing her financial management expertise with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Val loved to travel and had been to many places all over the world. Her favorite being the continent of Africa. She said it was life-changing, and she always wanted to go back on safari. She was a feisty competitor and loved playing cards with her Snyder Village card ladies and considered them all dear friends. She loved keeping her mind sharp with various games and activities and was a voracious reader.

She was also queen of the family ping pong circuit, sometimes beating her adult children well into her 80’s in their annual Thanksgiving Day tournament. She was the inspiration behind the phrase, “I know I shouldn’t say anything, but…” She was a wonderful baker and an expert chef and connoisseur of potato latkes. She looked forward to going to Tanners Apple Orchard every year, as she had done for over 50 years.

She was a stickler for manners and matters of conduct and social graces and writing thank you notes. She was fiercely independent having lived and died in that manner. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and smile. She took wonderful care of herself and exuded an endearing youthful spirit and appearance.

She was always impeccably dressed, which complimented and characterized her constant exceptional demeanor. She never complained about anything and had a perpetual smile on her face, a chuckle in her voice, and so much love in her heart. She demonstrated kindness, generosity and selflessness her entire life. She was the dynamic of her family.

A sentiment shared by her ever-growing family of 28, but especially her children, “She was the best human being they had the privilege of knowing. “Thank you, mom for blessing all our lives.”

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel with Rabbi Bryna Milkow officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 9:00 am at the funeral chapel. Burial will follow the funeral at Peoria Hebrew Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Anshai Emeth or the Jewish Federation of Peoria.

Condolences and memories may be shared through Davison-Fulton.com