It is with heavy hearts that our family announces that Valerie Kurlick died peacefully at her care home on Friday, February 2, 2024, with her granddaughter Alana by her side. She was 91 years old, or as she liked to say, “old as dirt”.
She will continue to be loved and remembered by her children Brian Kurlick (Shawnigan Lake, BC) and Ann (Pat) Spina (Rosslyn, ON).
Grams held a special place in the hearts of her grandchildren Alana (Curtis) Sandberg, Nathan (Jazmin) Spina, Ariana Spina, and Amy (Jason) Kurlick, step grandchildren Jodi (Liz) Afonso and Lee Connor and by her great-grandkids Parker and Rylee Sandberg, Ella Spina, Seija Smith, Suvi Dallaire and Colbie Connor.
She was predeceased by her husband Mervin, her son Kim Kurlick, her sisters Juanita (Hank) Stroud, Edith Enstrom and Joyce (Earl) Woodbeck and her in-laws Edna (Don) Henry and Ted (Pearl) Kurlick. She will be fondly remembered by Jerry and Lil Della Mattia, Don Enstrom and good friends Pat Hnatiw (Goose) and Roz Cooper and all her nieces and nephews.
Val was born on April 21, 1932. Despite being orphaned at an early age, she was always close with her sisters Nita, Edith and Joyce, especially Nita who raised her. She married Mervin Kurlick in June 1953. Mom lived life to the fullest. She loved her work but also retirement. She loved to walk, read, knit and travel until her dementia progressed. She had a special relationship with animals, especially dogs and cats. She loved her baseball and hockey and never missed an opportunity to have a Labatts Blue with those whom she loved. Her endearing habit of calling everyone "doll" added an extra layer of warmth and love to the bonds she cherished.
As per mom’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. There will be a private interment at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
For those wishing to honour Val’s memory with a donation, consideration to the Mark Preece Family House in Hamilton, ON would be appreciated. Or raise a glass of beer, she would love that.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Southbridge Pinewood (both Hummingbird and Sandpiper wings) for your excellent care of mom. We know you appreciated her feistiness and will always remember her favourite saying “you gotta do what you gotta do”.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
