(1926 – 2025) - Mom said her final goodbyes and thank you to Mapleview Nursing Home. Quote “I am pampered like a princess…bye-bye friends.” Mom passed away three days after her 98th birthday on Saturday, November 15, 2025. She also enjoyed the time she spent at Cedarwood Nursing Home, where she made everyone laugh and they loved her, thank you everyone. We often heard quotes from the residents, “Hi Val, I love you, you are beautiful”, imagine.
Mom was born in Silver, Manitoba to parents Michael and Pearl Melnychuk, and was the sixth child of 14 children.
Valerie leaves behind her precious daughter Judy Symynshen and loving dependable buddy, son-in-law Michael Farrell.
Mom will be laid to rest peacefully beside her cherished husband of over 70 years, the late Paul Symynshen (2019) in their beautiful mausoleum. They will be just around the corner of their loved and adored son, the late Donlad Symynshen (2020). They will have a silent bond with their first two children, little girl Margaret Irene (3 and a half years) and infant son, David Charles (6 months), whom both perished in a tragic house fire (1951), and they can snuggle up to their late grandson – Judy’s Baby Boy (8 hours old) (1991).
Left to grieve mom are her beautiful sisters Sophie Gierys, Mary Mozol, Eva Podolsky and brother Steve Melnychuk, all in Manitoba. Mom will be missed by her special nieces and nephews, numerous relatives, friends and neighbours who will commemorate her memory. Mom was always thankful for the wonderful neighbours and friends they had in both Bruce Mines and Sault Ste. Marie.
Mom and dad were well known in Bruce Mines and later in Sault Ste. Marie thru their proprietor ships in the family Service Stations. They were able to establish a great number of growing relationships with customers local and far whom reported high recommendations for the service they received from my parents. After they retired in the mid 70s from the Service Station business, Dad made sure that mom was never idle besides cooking, cleaning etc., he invited her along to the apartment buildings in pretence of company but usually for a little elbow grease work. She caught on quickly after that.
Moms huge passion was her gardening which she claimed to grow everything from A-Z. An interview with the Sault Star on May 9, 1992 quoted mom as saying “You have to have a lot of tender care with them. You have to look after them with love.” Mom showered her gardens with love and affection just as she did with her children.
Mom sure kept busy. She volunteered for the Heart and Stroke Foundation for 21 years, Vernon Directory for 15 years, she worked elections for 30 years, numerated elections for 25 years, a volunteer at the election office for five years and at Service Stations for 15 years. She won a won $500.00 shopping spree from Pinos (Don Gouchie IGA), the Farmers Market recognized for her 121-pound Pumpkin, May Court Club – Mom won a camera, the Casino Check Your Check mom won a Nescafe Shopping Spree and in 1974 she won $180.47.
Mom learned to drive at age 65. She would prepare veggies and goodies and drop them off at our home with the cutest little notes. Mommy was well known for her homemade perfectly crafted Perogies which she loved to share and taught the art of making them to her younger neighbours.
Every fall mom looked forward to the task of harvesting her produce of vegetables, fruit and herbs by canning, freezing, dehydrating or served fresh.
Mom and Dad enjoyed to travel and would visit my brother wherever he had his sculpture studio setup, twice to Greece and the Island of Paros where Don resided for 27 years, British Columbia, California and Toronto. They also travelled thru the states and Canada. Having a calling for cooking, Mom would try out recipes at home that she picked up while abroad…yum!
Our cottage became sad and lonely when mom, dad and their dog Cookie could no longer visit. We all went boating, snowmobiling, and four wheeling. They were not only parents but fantastic friends. Always a lot of laughter in our time together.
Mom and dad shared wisdom – my brother often called them the two wise owls.
Bye-bye mommy, you were a beautiful lady, inside and out. You had such a kind and gentle nature, willing to help out whenever. We will never part, you will always remain in my heart. Thank you for letting me be so proud of you Mother, you are the best gift a daughter could receive. Thank you for the gift of Love to Mikey and myself. Both you and daddy lit up our lives, and those lights will shine night and day.
Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Entombment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery to follow. Memorial donations to the Mapleview Nursing Home Resident’s Council would be greatly appreciated by the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.northwoodfuneral.com
Love you forever and ever – I miss you so much, you are my treasure…your little girl Judy