EDWARDS Val

EDWARDS, Val - With great sadness, the family of the late Val Edwards, beloved wife of Bob Edwards of Buchanan, SK, announce her passing at the Canora Hospital on May 1, 2024, at the age of 84 years. Val was born in Coventry, England on June 14, 1939, to Herb and Hilda (nee Strong) Southan. Her father was called up to serve in the Air Force in the Second World War, and in 1942, Val's mother, with daughter Val and son John in tow, were evacuated to Wales to escape the heavy bombing across Coventry and London. When the war ended and Val's father came home, the family moved back to Coventry, where Val finished her school and attended university at Leeds and then at Hull to complete her teacher training. Val taught at several different schools, eventually meeting Bob Edwards when they taught together at a boy's school in Gillingham in 1966. They were married later that same year and moved to Canada the next year to teach together at Eston, SK. They moved to Invermay in 1970 and Val taught at Invermay School until Richard was born in 1979. They moved to the farm outside of Buchanan in 1983, the same year Keith was born. Val joined the congregation at Faith Lutheran Church in Buchanan in 1983, teaching Sunday school for a number of years and later accompanying worship on the organ until late last year. She became involved with the Nelson Lake Bible Camp as soon as the kids were old enough to attend. She helped out with general operations and was the head cook for a number of years. Val found mothering more to her liking than teaching and never resumed teaching full time. She subbed and worked as a teacher assistant for a number of years while the boys were in school. Val helped to found the Blackbox Players drama club in Buchanan, being a cast member or director in every performance up to 2023. Val wanted the absolute best for everyone, especially her grandkids and other children. Her grandkids will probably remember her as one who was always there for them and one of their biggest fans. She would consistently travel to attend birthdays, concerts, and sporting events and was always cheering them on and letting them know how amazing they were, whether she understood what they were doing or not. Val made the effort to connect with people, looking for a common interest as an excuse to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. She had a passion for beautiful living things. Her gardens and flowerbeds stretched over most of her yard. She would often dart from window to window in their home to get a better look at a bird, deer, or moose that wandered through. She did her best to project beauty and music into the world. She would do so by singing and playing the organ or piano at church and home. She was always very critical of her own talents but shared them anyway. Val was a prolific artist, quilting and sewing and creating dozens upon dozens of paintings. She painted portraits, nature scenes, old log houses and barns. There were enough paintings to cover the walls of the Buchanan Community Centre, where most of them remain. Val was predeceased by her parents, Herb and Hilda Southan; and brother-in-law, Mick. She leaves to celebrate her life: her husband, Bob; sons, Richard (Kathy) and Keith (Tina); grandchildren: Conner, Caleb, Tajha, Lily, Logan, and Adalind; her brother, John (Barbara); brother-in-law, Adrian; and her sisters-in-law Chris and Pat; as well as many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 10, 2024, from the Chapel of Leson's Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with the Venerable Rev. Kim Sherwin officiating. Committal followed in the Elim Lutheran Cemetery, northeast of Buchanan, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Buchanan Community Centre or to Faith Lutheran Church, in memory of Val Edwards. Family and friends unable to attend are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora, SK.