Val Champine

Quiet, humble, unselfish and big-hearted, Val was dedicated to her family, friends and community. “She put everyone before herself,” said daughter Melissa Champine. “She would do anything for her kids, grandkids, friends. She was my mom, but also she was my best friend.”

Val took care of her aging parents and other elderly acquaintances. She cheered on her athletic children and grandchildren from Ghesquire Park to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where grandson Ryan Henderson played in the Little League World Series in 2018.

In gyms across southeast Michigan, Val was always on hand to support her husband of 54 years, Jim, a longtime youth basketball coach. “She was so selfless,” Jim said. “She always thought of others first.”

In Val’s room at St. John, a nurse asked Jim for the secret of staying married for more than half a century. “I said, ‘She’s laying right there,” Jim recalled. “She put up with me for 54 years.”

As a daily walker along Mack Avenue, Val improved the street’s appearance by picking up trash. As debris mounted during the pandemic, a local television reporter interviewed Val, asking her advice to local litterbugs.

“Just do the right thing,” she said.

Val was born in Grosse Pointe and grew up in Grosse Pointe Woods. She graduated from Bishop Gallagher High School, where despite her small stature she played varsity basketball, earning a spot on the metro area’s All-Catholic team as a senior.

Schoolmates and other 50-year acquaintances remained her core group of friends. Among other activities, they gather regularly in what they call the East Side Supper Club for potluck dinners. Val was an accomplished cook, and her friends always tried to make sure she brought one of her famous desserts.

In addition to daughter Melissa, husband Jim and grandson Ryan, Val is survived by daughters Jennifer Champine and Michelle Morasso (Joey); son Steve Champine; grandsons Drew Henderson, Cole Champine and Tyson Champine; and granddaughter Gina Morasso. She was predeceased by parents Ray and Rosemary Otlowski and brother David Otlowski.

A Memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 16 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org.