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Valerie Jane Cox Corliss
Valerie Jane Cox Corliss
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Valerie Corliss Obituary
Valerie Jane Cox Corliss passed away Saturday evening Nov. 23, 2013 from complications relating to cancer. She was in her home surrounded by her immediate as well as extended family and dear friends.
Valerie was born in Provo, Utah on Dec. 20, 1949 to loving parents Zeniff Cox and Veda Sweat. She spent her childhood in Dugway, Utah before moving to Salt Lake City in her teen years. She graduated from Skyline High and went on to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma Washington. She Graduated from Brigham Young University with Masters degrees in English, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Valerie was a marriage and family therapist for more than 25 years. Her career suited her in the capacity it afforded her to be influential and instrumental in so many lives. She truly loved the people she was able to work with and many of her patients became as close and dear to her as family.
Valerie met and married Darrel Wayne Corliss in the Salt Lake City temple in 1990. Together they raised 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Although she blessed the lives of everyone she came in contact with, her greatest joy came from being with her family and finding any excuse she could to celebrate with them.There was no limit to the love and kindness she showed and the amount of good she could see in others. She will be sorely missed, but her gentle love and kindness will always remain in the hearts of those who knew her.
Valerie's family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Craig Cook and the staff of the 2nd and 6th floors of the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, along with the IHC Home Health and Hospice personnel for the loving care offered.
Valerie is survived by her loving father and mother; and her 3 brothers ( Gregory, James, Brett) and 3 sisters ( Ronda, Bonnie, Leeana). Husband (Darrel Wayne) and her four children (Sarah, Andrew, Jonathan, Joseph) 6 grandchildren; (Jaxson, Liam, Emeline, Chaucer, Parley, & Veda).
Funeral Services will be held Monday Dec. 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Highland South Stake Center, 9600 N 6800 West. Viewing services will be held Sunday at the Lone Peak Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Monday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment will be in Heber, UT. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.
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Wayne Corliss
December 3, 2017
It has been 4 years and I still miss her dearly.
December 28, 2013
Nancy Vilhauer
December 26, 2013
I always considered Val to be one of my very best friends, even though I didn't see her for years at a time. When we finally would get together, it always felt like no time had passed at all.
We were college roommates. I was learning to be an artist and an actress. Val was enamored with the life and work of Welch poet Dylan Thomas. We both listened to a lot of Bob Dylan. (I still do.) We were innocent hippies looking to discover and establish our new identities. Val was the earth mother. I was regarded as more of an ethereal spirit. It was a lovely sisterhood.
We bought our velvet coats at thrift stores. We ate a lot of rice and vegetables. We filled sketchbooks with drawings and poems and snippets of songs. We were student poor. Val had the mattress. I took the box springs. The fact that she was driving a big old black Mercedes sedan and I was driving an old Thunderbird didn't seem incongruous somehow.
I wanted to travel, to get out on my own and learn what I didn't discover, growing up in a little town in the Northwest. It was clear from the time that I met Val that what she wanted in life was a
beautiful big family. She also wanted a good education, but she never wavered in her desire to be married and have several children. And I could just see her, down the line, making Christmas cookies with her kids, writing beautiful cards and letters to her husband, using all of her compassion and creativity to fulfill her life's dream.
And that is exactly what she did. But not only did she enrich the lives of her own husband and her own children and her own parents and sibs, but she became a mother/sister/friend to so many others through her work and through the church. In her work in Los Angeles, she helped so many kids who were taken out of their broken homes. In her therapy work later on, she helped countless more people, many of whom I imagine would think of Val more as their friend than their therapist.
I am so happy for Val that she got the family she deserved, and happy for all of us that we got to know her. She was truly a blessing in our lives. And even though she has left a big hole in our hearts, I feel that in some sense she is still here. And for that, I am very grateful.
Kimra Castleton
December 23, 2013
I just heard about Val's passing and through the sadness thought how strange that I know each of her family by name yet they know nothing of the life-changing influence she had on me. Val had incredible talent for seeing through inordinate details to extract transformative, abiding themes. Val, perhaps we'll listen to Dylan together, again, someday while you recount your evolution from youthful days. My life is infinitely better because you were willing to share yours. As I would tell you when I called, you're still one of the best things to ever happen to me. All my love.
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Harold Redd
December 12, 2013
Greg and Family
I knew your sister Valerie when she provided professional and personal service to our Son Brian. I believe you were still at BYU at that time. She was truly and exceptional person and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
I know Brian has always held her in high esteem. I'm sorry we became aware of her passing belatedly.
Steve, Becky, Tyler, Nathan and Josh
December 2, 2013
We love you Valerie. Thank you for the healing you have provided in our home. You will always be an angel to us.
December 1, 2013
LaWana Gerrard Whitaker
November 30, 2013
I finally found you. I am so sorry that our reunion will now have to wait a while longer. I searched for you for all these long years. Our childhood friendship in Dugway, Utah has stayed with me all these many years. They are dear to my heart. We had so much fun and shared our childhood dreams. I knew you would make an impact on many lives and you did. My prayers and heartfelt sympathy is with your family. LaWana Gerrard Whitaker
Matthew
November 29, 2013
Valerie...you are absolutely irreplaceable. You have graciously imparted priceless tools for quality and productive lives to many...this world will just not be the same without you. Your generosity, wisdom and discernment will impact generations. You get to share all those beautiful and priceless gifts with a lot more folks now beyond the veil...the gems you bring home come from a lifetime of charity and love. You are a great example for those of us still forging along In mortality...we will try to honor and emulate the grace and goodness of your life. You will be missed.
David Hurtado
November 28, 2013
Mosiah 18:9 is a very good description of Val. She mourned with me, she comforted me, she testified to me; and her influence will be felt in my life, my children's lives, and on generations yet to come. Thank you Valerie. Much love to the Corliss family.
Clara Lee
November 28, 2013
Dear Valerie,
Thank you for being there as a mentor and friend to me. Your influence will long be felt. Thank you for your loving kindness, your way of putting complicated things succinctly, your warmth, your understanding, for your compassionate eyes and ears, and your magnificent spirit.
November 28, 2013
My heart goes out to the family. May God be with all of you during this time and the days ahead.
Vickie Hamilton and family
November 28, 2013
Val helped me raise my family for almost 20 years! I will be forever grateful for her loving influence on those most precious to me -- my children. She was gently there to ask just the right question in the right way to help me discover the next best step. In her I experienced the wisdom of a sage and the love of God. I am so grateful for her loving presence even now for she is there always in my heart. Ali Dances
Kaelrig Hurtado
November 28, 2013
It is hard to believe that she's not here to help pick up all the pieces of this messy life. I will miss her dearly. She was full of wisdom and love.
November 27, 2013
She always had a minute or more for you- made you feel like you were on the top of her list. She loved me for me and I am grateful I was able to call her Aunt!
November 27, 2013
She will be missed! My heart goes out to all her family and friends.
SHIRLEY SWEAT
November 27, 2013
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BEAUTIFUL NIECE... Aunt Shirley XXX
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