March 6, 1924 – April 28, 2017
Valda gave her final curtain call at the age of 93 after a life well lived. She was born the third child of Victor and Mary Frelone and grew up in Cumberland BC. She overcame Tuberculosis as a teenager which taught her that in spite of life’s challenges to always be grateful for the new day. She worked in the office of the Cumberland Hospital before marrying her childhood friend Ralph Gibson and settling in Royston. They raised three children and lived happily together until the sudden passing of Ralph in 1981 at the age of 57. Mom loved to dance, sing, and make people laugh. She was a member of the Co Val Choristers and the Pat Pantuso School of Dance for many years until she retired at age 83. Baking for others made her happy, and countless dozens of her cinnamon biscuits were enjoyed by generations of friends and family. She was a loving wife, a fine mother, and a loyal friend. She was predeceased by infant son Douglas, husband Ralph, brother Norman, and sister Delina. She is survived by three children, Margo, Michelle, and Kevin, three grandchildren, Lisa (TY) Nicholls, Jeff Sexton, Scott (Fumie) Sexton, and five great grandchildren, Jordynne, Jaksynne, Calleigh, Noah, and Layla. A funeral Mass with reception to follow will be held at Christ The King Catholic Church off Ryan Road on June 17th at 11am. Charitable donations can be made to the BC Parkinson Society, and those who knew Mom can honor her memory by passing along the acts of kindness and good cheer that Mom spread throughout her life. We are only here for a short time and in the end the only thing that matters is heart and the small pieces of it we scatter about us along the way.