FOX, Valerie Susan (nee Lench)

VALERIE SUSAN FOX
(née LENCH)

Suddenly, on August 27 2022 Valerie Fox passed away while visiting family in Selkirk Manitoba.

Valerie was predeceased by her husband of more than 30 years, Charles “Jim” Fox, sister Charal Pretula and brother Bill Evans.

She will be remembered by her husband Doug Lomenda, her son Kevin Fox and his wife Charley along with grandchildren Aurora and Nika, Kevin's ex wife Shannon Fox and grandchildren Landon and Sienna, as well as her step children Jason Lomenda, Paul Lomenda, Jamie and Rory Wells and their children Elliot, Owen.
Valerie left behind sisters Hazel Otto, Wilma Scott, Betty Ann Mathews, Linda Brown and Debra Rutherford.

Valerie was born November 30 1951 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario where she grew up. She had intended to be a phys-ed teacher, however was swept off her feet by her first husband Jim Fox.

Jim and Val moved to Ocean View Hawaii, where they lived for about ten years. They returned to Sioux Lookout to have their son Kevin.

After a time in Sioux Lookout, Val and Jim yearned for warm weather again and moved to Fort Myers Florida.

As their parents were aging, the couple packed up their bags and returned to Sioux Lookout to be near them.

Valerie took a job as a tutor at the local high school, which she enjoyed very much. Years passed and the couple were once again on the move, this time to Victoria Harbour Ontario where their friend of many years Doug Lomenda (me) lived. Jim and Valerie entered into a business partnership in the local resort, which the couple actively managed for several years.

Jim and Valerie were on the move again this time to Pahala Hawaii, where Valerie, now in her fiftieth year, attended the University of Hawaii and obtained her Bachelor of Science.

Valerie joined Care Hawaii as a social worker which she enjoyed.

Sadly, Jim passed away in the later part of 2010.

Valerie moved back to Ontario and, after a short stay with her sister-in-law then son, joined Doug Lomenda in a common law partnership on Valentine's Day 2011. She volunteered with VONursing for a short while but decided retirement would suit her better.

Our relationship was like it was meant to be, as Valerie would say, like a hand fits a glove. Valerie and I enjoyed each other so much we were seldom apart. She enjoyed gardening in the backyard, feeding the birds and squirrels, and just spending time under the gazebo together, or going for our hand in hand walks, like kids again. We would often play no more than one game of cards in the afternoon, which she really wanted to win. Of course, there was no teasing the loser, or not too much at least!

Valerie learned to play the ukulele, and we enjoyed playing songs together. We would sing and play for hours, fretting over nuances, timing, and chord placement. Eventually, we joined a ukulele group in Orillia, Ontario. It didn't take long with Val's dedication and hard work for her to become the leading force of the group, who all loved her. She loved to lead and teach.

Valerie loved puzzling, knitting, hiking, skiing, and curling; I think her real passion was for making bread. She sent so many pictures of bread to her sister Debby, I suggested she named the loaves.

She decided to learn French, practising on the computer every morning. After a while, she was able to watch French language movies which pleased her.

Valerie loved people, from very young to very old and everyone in between. Her sheer joy of life and all things living was contagious.

I know there will be many friends and acquaintances joining me in remembering her for many, many years to come.

She was my absolute soulmate, partner, and friend, and will live forever in my memories and heart.

She will be sorely missed.