Valerie Jean Gascoigne (nee Franklin)

It is with great sadness that the family of Valerie Jean Gascoigne (nee Franklin) announces her sudden passing on Friday, March 19, 2021 after a long battle with bronchiectasis and Parkinson’s Disease. Val was born in Glasgow, Scotland on May 21, 1932, the only child of Marjorie and Percy Franklin. She resided in the Highlands for 4 years during WWII where she discovered her love of horses. She immigrated to Canada and the family settled in Fort William in 1947 where she attended F.W.C.I.

Val worked in the Mary J. L. Black Library during high school. After high school she worked as a bank teller at the Royal Bank. Mom met, fell in love with and married Dad, Russell Gascoigne in June of 1953. She was a stay at home mother raising the 4 of us, of whom she was so proud of, in our accomplishments and the activities we participated in. Once we were grown, Mom ventured into the greeting card and party gift business, as the co-owner/operator of 3 locations of Val’s Card & Party Shops, working at the County Fair Plaza and Northwood Mall locations.

Val had many interests. She was a Tawny Owl in Brownies, an avid knitter and reader, and she delighted in hosting social gatherings at home. She loved to dance with her husband Russell at the many balls and dinner dances they attended, and was often a source of entertainment to those present with their dancing prowess.

Mom served as President of the Lakehead Light Horse Association. A surprise to none, horses were one of her greatest passions. After boarding a couple for many years, Mom and Dad raised their Arabians, when the family moved out to Stanley. She rode in dressage and show jumping competitions, locally and south of the border, and often won or placed highly in the events. Val and Russ were also supporters of Magnus Theatre and patrons of the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, and St. Thomas Anglican Church, which was within a block of both of their childhood homes.

Val leaves behind her 4 children, Roxanne, Derek(Georgia), Guy(Michelle) and Lorna(John), 8 grandchildren, Duncan (Dee), Hilary(Andy), Brienne(Brian), Bianca, Marc, Mallory, Drew and Gabrielle, as well as 7 great grandchildren, all of whom she delighted in at the family gatherings. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, Russ, her parents, Marjorie “Babs” and Percy Franklin.

A big thank you to those staff members on Hogarth Riverview Manor's 6th floor, who gave such special care to our mother.

Cremation has taken place. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and Val’s wishes, a private funeral service for immediate family members, will be held at Jenkens Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Tuesday March 30. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lung.ca or Parkinson.ca associations.