Jones, Valene (Val) née Varey, 72, died peacefully at Groves Memorial Hospital, Fergus on April 21, 2013 following a short but fierce battle against cancer. She will be remembered by Henry, her husband of 53 years, her three children Viki (Tom Sweetman), Chris (Helen Michel) and Tina (Dominique Blanc) and her five grandchildren Nathalie, Erik, Elliott, Xavier and Kali, predeceased by her parents Elgie and Pearl Varey and brother Leonard and survived by her sister and friend Lynda King, her nephew Daniel and nieces Christina and Melissa on her side. She will also leave behind a large extended family on the Jones side, including godchildren and special nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. Tea parties, tutoring, painting and travel were special to her. Val was an inspiration to many through her passion for teaching in the separate and public school systems in Wellington, North Wellington, Bruce-Grey, Halton regions, as well as in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Val’s true love was education, but was rivaled by her creating and collecting of art, adopting and spoiling her menagerie of pets and indulging her grandchildren. She will be fondly remembered as a unique, authentic and vibrant woman by those whose lives she touched. Val requested that Dr. Jafferjee and the dedicated and supportive health care teams at Groves Memorial and the Juravinski Cancer Centre be thanked. Private Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, on Monday, April 29, 2013 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County (LDAWC), Groves Memorial Hospital or the Juravinski Cancer Centre Gynecology Oncology Clinic would be appreciated. Cards are available at the funeral home, 519-821-5077 or send condolences at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.
