Mrs. Valerie D. Ray, at age 61, passed away in the home of her daughter in Port Coquitlam, BC, on September 14, 2011 with her husband, and daughters around her, after a well fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born in 1950 in Prince Rupert, BC. She moved to Kamloops as a teenager, then after being married moved to Fort Fraser and eventually found herself in Houston for 35 years. She had a few jobs throughout the years. But she will be most remembered doing alterations and sewing for people throughout the community as well as being the Office Manager at Total Physiotherapy. She was an enthusiastic gardener all her life and golfer after her children left home. She was even golfing right up until her diagnosis in May, 2011. Above all else, she was a mother and cared for her children deeply even after they left home to pursue their dreams. A vacation to Mexico last year was one of her happiest moments and provided great memories. She will be missed by all that knew her for her kindness and warmth and always finding time for people. She did not realize all the people that she touched throughout her life.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Arthur Ray; daughters, Katherine Ray from Port Coquitlam, BC, and Shirley (Ethan) Erchinger from Union City, CA; and brothers, Arthur (Iris) Houchen, Gary Houchen and Ollie Houchen.
Her memorial will be held at the Community Centre in Houston, BC at 11:00 on Oct.1, 2011 with burial services at the Hillside Cemetery in Kamloops, BC on Oct.14, 2011
at 1:00 pm.
Donations can be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation in lieu of flowers. Mom was always helping people and she would hope that others could be helped to win their battle, www.pancreaticcancer canada.ca