Valerie Lavinia Thomas was born in England on August 27, 1937 and left us on April 14th, 2021.
After moving to Canada in 1963 and living in Ontario for 44 years we made the move to the Yukon in 2007 to begin a new chapter with our remarkable daughter Ellen and her children. Val loved the Yukon and felt blessed to be living here. Recently our wonderful son David was here from Ontario during the last few weeks of her life and cooked her favourite meals and was even able to share a dance or two. Val loved walking along the Yukon River and enjoyed family boat rides and trips to the many beautiful places surrounding us. She loved singing in the Whitehorse Community Choir and reading her favourite writers – some old, some new, she was never without something to read. She loved the sound of her grandchildren laughing brought on by her special sense of humour – either in person or online with the ones living further away. Val spent precious moments with lifelong family and friends – when Val was a friend, she was a friend for life. She knew that life was a gift and every moment on earth was a miracle. Val understood that joy comes not through possession or ownership but through a wise and loving heart. That’s why we have so many joyful memories of her. She tried to create a safe place for everyone by being a trusted and loving mother, wife, grandparent and friend. Val was a humble woman and even in the midst of her fatigue and confusion towards the end, she would pause and tell us how grateful she was for all of us. No more fatigue and confusion now Val – you are free.
We will remember Val most for the love she had for her family and her friends. In the end what matters most is being present with these questions – How well did you love? How fully did you live? Val’s life answered both these questions magnificently. Rest in peace Val.
We would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Whitehorse General Hospital and Doctors Kanachowski, Hagens and Stuart and the staff at the Wind River Hospice House as well as Karla Jennings for the wonderful care provided. We will never forget the respect and dignity shown to Val when they provided care right until the end.
Val leaves behind her husband Bill, daughter Ellen, son David and grandchildren Asa, Thomas, Liam, Elliot, Sophie, Kendra and Iain. In Ontario she leaves her sister-in-law Vickie and daughters Julie and Sarah and spouses Martin and Kevin. In England, Val leaves her loving family Haydyn, Ruth, Allan, Ali, Paul, Bernadette & Jessica and Arthur, Jim, Leslie, James, Lloyd, Owen, Emilia, Michael, Rachel, Robert, Daisy & Libby, as well as the memory of her beloved sisters Betty and Shirley. Finally, Val leaves behind very special lifelong friends from far and wide – these friends meant so much to her.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Valerie Lavinia Thomas August 27 1937 April 14 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Whitehorse, Province: Colombie britanique