Valerie Val "Alma" Elizabeth Laura White Koluk

After a fourteen month dignified battle with cancer (Melanoma), resting comfortably at home, she took her last whisper of a breathe and slipped gently from the loving arms of her husband and soulmate Bill, Into the waiting arms of God. Surrounded by her husband of 40 years, her only daughter Nicki and life long friends, Valerie passed away peacefully at her residence in the loving arms of her husband William (Bill) as the sun began to rise on Saturday April 2, 2011 at the age of 56 years young. Loving mother of Nicole (Nicki) Roxanne Lauri Roung, and her husband Scott of St. George. A devoted & loving Nanny to Benjamin, her absolute pride and joy.

Also survived by her step grandchildren Trisha, Nicole and Colin, and her father Gordon White (Shirley) and brothers Grenville White and his wife Louise of Cambridge, Perry White of Kitchener, her adopted sister Linda Melo, and nieces and nephews, Tammy, Mandy, Kristy-Jane, Christy, Ginelle and Tim. Predeceased by her mother Elizabeth (Betty) White nee Purcell. Valerie was born in Newfoundland on February 12, 1955, and has lived in Cambridge since 1966. An employee of Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Food services for almost 20 years. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at Coutts Funeral Home 96 St. Andrews St. Cambridge on Saturday April 9, 2011 from 1 P.M. until service time at 2 P.M. As expression of sympathy donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

Reading by Kimberly Harvey at Val's Memorial

Dear Valerie,

Thank-you for buying Nicki those orange shoes 25 years ago, who knew another would have them and bond us for life.

Thank-you for allowing me and many alike, a place to stay during our adolescent fight. Our parents never worried because they knew you cared. A walk through the park and we were there.

Thank-you for teaching us to be patient with the hearing impaired. When we were younger we would turn our backs when we didn't want you to hear, but your knack for reading lips was something we feared.

Thank-you for making us laugh with your stories of your Bingo nights, touring with Bill and Nicki growing up, her stubourness to always win a fight.

Thank-you for allowing us to walk this journey with you. Through all the heartache and pain we found moments of laughter and set new goals for our life. You taught us the meaning of true love and to never give up our fight. You bonded new friends and old friends alike who will keep you in their memory for the rest of their life.

Thank -you for showing us the true meaning of courage and strength. Through all of this you never complained. You made us believe in a faith in our life, and most of all, Thank-you for giving me another Hero in my life.

Miss You Always

Love Kim xoxo

Reading from Val's Co-Workers and Friends in Food Services at Cambridge Memorial Hospital

Val became a member of the Food Services family at CMH almost 20 years ago. She was bright, open, friendly and easy to get to know. One of the most memorable things about her was that big smile and her infectious giggle. When those eyes of hers would begin to krinkle up and almost disappear you knew that something had really tickled her funny bone.

There were many lunch and coffee breaks which were pleasantly enjoyed when Val was on duty for somehow, her presence made the talk lively, interesting and often humorous. Most of us knew her coffee order at Tim's for it could be nothing but medium decaf double milk, no sugar (with sweetner on the side).

Speaking of lunch hours, Val taught all of us that mustard on your macaroni and cheese is one of the most unbeatable flavor combinations one could ever enjoy.

She had a way of choosing her words that was uniquely her own. Often when you least expected it she'd throw a zinger into the conversation that left you reeling with laughter. While those of us listening would be engulfed in giggles, Val would continue on with her story barely noticing that the rest of us were overcome with mirth.

She was a good worker and very organized, having held several job positions during her years working in Food Services, and doing all of them very well. Often Val came up with methods and ideas to get the job done more easily and efficiently. Those long legs of hers made her one of the fastest on the job for she could cover a lot of ground in just a few strides. Fellow staff who had the priviledge of partnering with Val experienced first hand her smoothness and swiftness of movement, through she was always very kind in waiting for some of us short-legged folk to catch up to her.

When our new food delivery system was introduced in 2008, a contest was held to see who could come up with the best descriptive moniker. Val won the contest by naming our delivery system "Meals in Motion".

Her hearing problem left her at a bit of a disadvantage, for if she wasn't looking in your direction, it was quite a challenge to get her attention. One of our staff members discovered that she could hear very well the name "Alma", and would look up immediately. Well "Alma" she became and when you needed her attention in a hurry that was the name you spoke. This worked very well until new people on the job became perplexed when she responded to the name Alma even though her ID badge said "Val". "I guess you better not call me that anymore" Val suggested, "It confuses the new hires".

Eventually she got herself a hearing device and for awhile she was amazed at what the work day sounded like for the rest of us, as now she could hear it too. Val discovered that when things got too loud she had the benefit of turning her hearing aids off. "See," she'd say, "I can tune you guys out whenever I want to."

There have been many staff parties over the years and we could always count on Val and Bill to attend. For Christmas 2010 we had one of the biggest staff parties held in several years. It was given in Val's honor as a surprise. Nicki was a tremendous help to us by getting Val there under the pretense that it was a candle and toy shopping party. When Val arrived and discovered the real reason for the outing she was dissappointed that she wasn't going to get to shop, but as the evening quickly got underway, as was her nature, she enjoyed herself to the fullest, especially having this wonderful opportunity to see all of her work mates in a relaxed and festive environment.

A recent trip to the Niagara Falls Casino in March 2011, took Val with a few co-workers on an overnight outing that proved to be an exercise in pure fun for her. How could it not be? For Val was the only one of the group who remembered to pack her "winning streak" and she ended up being the ONLY winner out of the group that weekend, even ending up with the money that the rest of the gang had brought along.

She always spoke with great love and pride of her family. Her face would light up like a Christmas tree when the topic was her grandson, Ben. A few times Ben came in for a quick visit with his Nanny on her lunch hour. He delighted all of us with his sweetness and his friendly demeanor, but the greatest impression of all was the absolute joy you could see on Val's face as she gazed at her grandson.

Our Food Services department has experienced a great loss for Val was loved and treasured at Cambridge Memorial both as a co-worker and as a friend. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Val's family for we can only imagine the depths of what you must be feeling. It has been an Honor to know Val. Her memory will continue to live on in our hearts as a cherished member of our Food Services "family". We will miss you Val, very much.

Love CMH Food Services Department.

April 2, 2012 ~ Memorial Service at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

Reading prepared by her friends and Co-workers.

Val's passing last year was a great loss to all of us. The best way to begin to heal from such a loss is to make it count for something positive. The group of people present in this room today came into an agreement last year to turn their grief over Val's death into a positive inspiration to help someone else in need.

We gathered our toonies together on a weekly basis with today, the one year anniversary of Val's passing as our target date. Today April 2nd 2012, we wish to honour Val's memory by presenting our gift to you, Jen, Jason and Megan. We feel it represents the spirit of Val's caring, compassion and kindness to others.

Val's portrait will be hung in the Food Service Department where she will continue to be a part of our team, smiling that beautiful smile of hers to one and all as we continue through our busy days. A special Thank you to Bill, Nicki, Ben, Scott, Gord and all of Val's family members and friends who supported us in this project and helped us to reach our goal today.

We are able to present to Jen, Jason and Megan $1,800 to help towards your medical challenges and hopefully many successes. Thank you to Anne for spear heading our memorial project and keeping all the details on track.

Val would be especially proud of this great example of teamwork and love made in her honour.

* * * * * * * * * *

Passed away peacefully at her residence in the loving arms of her husband William on Saturday April 2, 2011 in her 57th year. Loving mother of Nicole Roung, and her husband Scott of St. George. A devoted Nanny to Benjamin. Also survived by her step grandchildren Trisha, Nicole and Colin, and her father Gordon White (Shirley) and brothers Grenville White and his wife Louise of Cambridge, Perry White of Kitchener, her adopted sister Linda, and nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her mother Betty (Purcell) White. Valerie was born in Newfoundland on February 12, 1955, and has lived in Cambridge since 1966. An employee of Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Food services for 15+yrs. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at Coutts Funeral Home 96 St. Andrews St. Cambridge on Saturday April 9, 2011 from 1 P.M. until service time at 2 P.M. As expression of sympathy donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

Memorials at her one year anniversary of her death.

From Daughter Nicki & Grandson Ben.

One year of time has passed by since you left this world to fly. The same beautiful sunny, crisp day greeted me this morning just like last year when you had to go. An Angel of a Mother & Nanny on Earth and in Heaven, we all remember you with love and feel your beautiful light. xoxo Today we will honour you with your friends and co-workers at CMH with a contribution to another family in a battle of their own...See you in my dreams ♥

Posted in the Cambridge Times in honour of her passing from Husband Bill

KOLUK, Valerie

Far too early you left this world, on April 2, 2011.

I didn't know how special life was until I met you. I didn't know love until you showed me. I didn't know how two people could trust and care for one another. You showed me honesty and compassion and that life was about sharing and committing to one another. I didn't know how much I could love you and everything about life until I fell in love with you.

Thank you for 40 years of loving and caring, Darling Val… I miss you every day. - Love, Bill xo

From Daughter Nicki and Grandson Ben My memorial to you was far too long for the paper, so I created a blog post. http://nrlroung.blogspot.com We have not hugged you tight or kissed your beautiful face. But we often feel your presence and know you keep us safe. Living your memory every day! Love Ya Always - Nicki, Scott and Ben Roung

We love and miss your smiling face at work every day. We've placed a beautiful plaque upon the wall in your loving memory. Love, your friends - CMH Food Services

Blog written by Nicki Koluk-Roung (Daughter)

For a week I have been trying to find just the right words to send to the local paper for my Mom's memorial ad. So apart from writing a small book I decided to write a blog post and then just include my link to it in the paper. Funny enough I think my mom would appreciate this and my cost effectiveness. I can still remember her telling me how much it cost to post notices in the Cambridge Times and the Spectator, for my wedding announcement in 2004. I have yet to confirm the cost of the memorial ad and my Dad said he would pay for the submissions, but I still can't help but think she would be far more happy that I was able to write all I want to say and do it for a fraction of the cost...plus I can add pictures and stuff from my son Ben (my mom's only Grandchild, and her absolute love) First I would like to say that I loved my mom a lot, I probably didn't say those words to her enough, but I know she knew, without any doubt. My mom was young, only just turned 56 when she passed and I was nearly 39. I remember in her obituary announcement the funeral home put that she was in her 57th year. Seems silly that it would bug me, but she always like to be my young mom. I'm not saying 57 is really much older then 56, but she was only 56 and it didn't seem fair to me that an obituary notice made it seem like I had an entire year More with her then I actually did. We looked more like sisters. I think both her and I liked when people would make that comment to us. She had me when she was only 17, I know it wasn't easy but both her and my Dad did a very good job raising me, If I dare say so! They spent forty years together, 39 of them married...well almost 39 she passed away 17 days before their 39th anniversary, but they always added 1 year to their actual anniversary because they married 1 year to the day after they met. I would say we were close, but not in a way where I would go to her with all my life stuff. I can't really say why because she probably would have really like it if I called more often, or we talked about more "things" but that's not who I am. Her an I are different that way, she was warm and welcoming, patient and non-judgemental, positive almost to a fault, a good listener (aside from the fact that she wore hearing aids in both ears) found the good in everyone & everything and always did give good advice, when ever I asked for it. Me well people often say I'm alot like my Dad, I can't say that they are wrong but I'd like to think I'm a little gentler version. Opinionated, yep! impatient, I'm always working on this, trying to lenghten my time before I feel myself starting to either freak out or zone out of whats going on. Of course put me in the drivers seat and sadly I only go about 2 seconds before I start complaining about the person in front of me..I'm not a very good passenger either. I have a horn in my car and I honk it, whether I'm in the drivers seat or passenger seat (this drives my husband crazy ;-) more so when he's driving and I reach over and lay on the horn, but I am working on this too! I say I'm a realist my husband say's I'm negative...I'm logical and like to run through all the possible outcomes of any given situation, he see's me as being a negative Nelly. I am fiercely loyal, because of this I choose to only have a few people in my "inner circle". I am honest, maybe too honest...I don't sugar coat much, I tell it like it is. But I am finding a way to be more selective about who or what I have the need to share the honest truth with. I talk more then I listen...writing that sounds sh@*ty, but it's true! I'd call myself a rambler I can get on to something and then just roll with it, and then some....like I'm doing now!

I want to write a memorial to my mom, but just don't know what to say. I still grieve her, there are days when I look at her urn on my mantle and think - Wow this totally sucks! I can't believe she gone. I still talk to her, maybe even more some days then I did when she was physically "here" with me. My son Ben draws Nanny Val pictures, some of them get taped right to her urn others on the mantle around her. He shows her things like the time he lost his first tooth he went to her urn and said "look Nan, I lost my 1st tooth" and then said oh and turned his little head with his mouth wide open straight up to heaven and said "it's probably easier for you too see if I look at you". Her memory lives on in me, in the person I would want her to be proud of, I try to be a good mother, wife and friend. In those moments when life challenges me I try to think how would my mom handle this, how happy would she be to just be here one more day, would she look upon me and smile or would she say I know you can do this, just take it one step at a time. I would like to think that if she had the chance to return to me for just one day that she would say I am proud of the way you have honoured me, how you have kept my memory alive with Benjamin. How you have stood by your Dad and helped him heal a little from the loss of me. Maybe that's why I find it hard to put into words or a verse just how much I've missed you this year...because even though you are not in my physical presence where I can really hear your voice or your laugh, or I can hug you or kiss you. You still live with me in my heart every day. Don't get me wrong I, we miss you like crazy our family is just not the same without you here. But I find great comfort in the thought of you being only a heartbeat away. I cannot write a verse, or say a few short words to memorialize my mother's 1st anniversary of her passing, because I live her memory each and every day ~ and that to me is the best memorial I can give to her, to myself and my son. I love you mom...until we meet again kiss kiss hug hug...Nicki

Posted by NRL Roung at 22:07