Valarie Sutton

Mom passed away peacefully December 20th, with Trish at her bedside after a brave and relentless battle against cancer. Mom is cherished and loved by her daughter's Cindy Day (Ernie), Trish Allaire (Dallas), and son's Chris (Wanda) and George (Jennifer). Grandma will be missed by her grandchildren Meagan Harvey (Kyle), Krista Harvey, Alex Harvey (Carli), Tara Allaire (Luke Judson), Dallas Allaire (Anna), Nicole Prentice (Ben), Alanna Sutton, Lily Sutton and great grandchildren Carter and Mya Barnes-Odawa as well as many great grand puppies. Our dear mother, Valarie Mabel Sutton nee Gibbons, born March 15th, 1936 was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend to all who knew her.

Mom is predeceased by Tony Gibbons - her dad, Mabel – her mother, her brothers David, Gerry, Teddy, Ron – her beloved husband and our dad, who she married in June 1960, and many other immediate family and in-laws.

Mom's family was her everything, when her children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home-mom” didn't exist. It was usual for women to stay home with the children while their husbands worked. But even by the standards of the era, Mom was an exceptional wife and mother. She cared deeply for our family and neighbours. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She always ensured that every child who crossed our threshold was safe, healthy, and happy. Mom provided an open and welcome home to family, friends and strangers, each were always greeted with a genuine glowing smile and sometimes a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. Mom was actively involved with our school and sporting events, she could always be relied upon by us to show-up, be a shoulder to cry on when needed and to issue an encouraging kick in the butt when the situation warranted.

Mom was an accomplished hairdresser when she met and married our Dad. After moving to Red Rock in 1960 she continued her craft working out of our home, one of only two such home styles in town, known as the honeymoon cottage. When George first and then Cindy arrived, hairdressing quickly took a back seat, until there was neither room nor time in our busy little home. Mom joined the workforce again much later, and took over running the 4-Lane Bowling Alleys at the Red Rock Recreation Centre. She was relied upon by seasoned professionals and beginner bowlers to the lanes during her years as the five pin bowling coach and cheerleader.

BINGO!! Was never yelled louder than when Mom won the game! She enjoyed visits to the Red Rock Legion bingo for decades, always enjoying a good time with friends and occasionally yelling BINGO when she won!!

We are proud that our Mom was an active participant in the community: Volunteering with the Women of St. Hillary's (formerly CWL), as part of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Red Rock Golden Club. Mom ran the Golden Club annual membership drive, everyone heard from her, until they had renewed!!! In these organizations she volunteered with event planning and preparation of food and meals for all occasions. Annually, for more than 25 years Mom contributed to the success of the St. Hillary's cross country run and the Paju Mountain run.

Mom made a couple of attempts to learn to drive shortly after her and Dad were married. Then, for reasons that remain a mystery to us, she stopped pursuing a license until each of us were approaching 16 years of age. Then we began to hear, “I'm going to get my driver's license, before you do!” All of Mom's family and friends will have fond memories and stories of chauffeuring her to wherever they were going with a smile and the occasional comment from her about the drive – or the other driver's on the road. She remained a chauffeured woman for her entire life, reminding all “I only go where the car goes!” Mom was happy to ride to all corners of Ontario, into Manitoba, even a long haul to Florida, all with family. She'd occasionally just take a ride to hop over the border stateside… Mom LOVED the slot machines!

Shortly after Dad passed away Mom was excited to move to the Mountain View Court Seniors apartments in Red Rock. She enjoyed getting reacquainted with neighbours from the past, re-establishing old friendships and making new friends, while actively joining the Sunday chit-chats and Monthly potluck dinners. As a new widow, Mom's friends at Mountain View Court were like family bringing her a lot of joy and fellowship. With Mom's passing a new paper delivery girl will need to be found, for Harvey.

Mom joined the gym at the Rec Centre, ‘cause that's what she wanted to do just after turning 75! As an active member she was often joined by her dear friend Lorraine and they used the treadmill, weights and rowing machines. Lorraine visited mom often at home, while she was in Hospital in Thunder Bay and most recently in the Nipigon Hospital, we are truly grateful for their comradery and friendship.

We would be remiss to not extend our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the Staff, Nurses and Doctors at the Nipigon Hospital and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Centre. Here, mom was cared for with gentle and loving professionals who looked after her pain, helped with her medications and most importantly allowed her to maintain her dignity while suffering through the ravages of cancer. Thank you!

As per Mom's wishes cremation has taken place and no service is being held at this time. A graveside internment will take place in June 2023 (family and friends will be invited to join in the interment and a celebration of Mom's life – we'll be sure to cheers with a Mudshake in Mom's honour. You needn't wait until then, Mom would be thrilled to see you tip a bottle in her honour, listen for the clink of her bottle.

Mom shared with us, how grateful she was with how you honored her with your visits, prayers, gifts, flowers, cards, well wishes and your considerate warmth and love extended to each of us. In Lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate your donation to the upkeep and operation of the Red Rock Golden Club Senior's Van, donations will be accepted at the Red Rock Township office PO Box 447, Red Rock, ON P0T-2P0. Please visit https://memorials.nwfainc.com/valarie-sutton to share your memories, pay tribute and post photos.