Valerie Cumming

*This service will be recorded and posted here later for those unable to attend.    

Valerie Darlene Cumming of Yorkton and formerly of Springside passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the age of 66 years.

Valerie Darlene Popowich was born Feb 6th 1956, a daughter of John and Mary (Kulaway) Popowich.

She lived her first 11 years at the “old home Place” located  just a few miles south of Gunn’s beach, at Good Spirit Lake, where Her father was also born and raised.  The old home place was located just across the field from her family church that her grandfather helped build during the great depression years of the mid 1930’s. 

She had 2 sisters, Gladys and Cheryl.

In 1962, she started grade 1 at Beblo school located just 1 ½ miles south from her family home, most days she walked to and from school.  When the roads were blown in during the harsh winter months, Her Dad would take her to school in an enclosed Cutter with a little wood stove which make it real toasty inside, they called it a Budda. It was pulled by the family horse, Danny.

She enjoyed an easy-going farm life as a young girl, biking, hiking the cow pasture trails.  She also tried swimming and “spa time” in the cattle trough, when mom and dad were away haying. She did get into trouble for that one.

On hot summer days her family would go and enjoy the sand dunes and swim at nearby Gunn’s beach.

A special treat at the lake was getting 25 cents to spend on an orange crush and bag of chips.

On July 1, 1967, Valerie and her family moved from the Old Home Place to her mother’s family homestead.

In 1967, when many country schools were closed, and students were then bused to larger centres, she then started Grade 6 at the Canora Senior Elementary School. There she met many new friends.  She was involved in various sports at school.

At home she helped on the family farm, including milking cows, gathering egg, and various other farm chores, also working in the large vegetable and fruit gardens, along  picking berries and mushrooms.

Valerie married Conley Cumming on August 12th 1972. Valerie and Conley built their first home on Clarewood crescent in 1972.  In 1977 they built their second home on a beautiful piece of land just south of Good Spirit Lake.

In 1973 her first son, Craig, was born in July.  Her second son, Shaun was born in April of 1976. 

In the 1979 Valerie began working at kmart in Yorkton, where she made new friends that she remained close with until her passing.  In 1986, they sold their farm home and moved to Springside.

In 1985 Valerie started her career at Sask Wheat Pool, which later became Viterra, a career that spanned 28 years.  During this time, along with working full time, she took her children to sports activities, cared for her home, and  expanding her  beautiful perennial and annual gardens.  When she came home from work Val loved tending to her gardens, trees and flower beds. She also was an excellent seamstress, sewing clothes for herself and her boys.

In 1999 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  She fought her disease, and she was able to continue working.

Her co workers at Viterra were incredible, they assisted her in her battle against MS, and for that we want to thank all that helped her in her time of need. 

In 2010, a group of her co workers, family and friends organized a fundraiser for Valerie, which enabled her to travel to Mexico to try an experimental treatment for her MS.

Valerie welcomed everyone to her home, making various Ukrainian dishes, and delicacies including Trifle, everyone’s favourite, for dessert.  She entertained at all holidays for many years, assisting her mother, then at her own home, until her health didn’t allow her to continue.

Valerie enjoyed travelling with her husband Conley throughout Canada and the United States.

Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, whom she loved very much and was very proud of them.

Kelsey, Kolbe, Alyssa and Ethan.  She so looked forward to their visits, and enjoyed hearing all about their adventures and activities.

Valerie entered the Health Care Home system in 2014, at the age of 58, when she required additional assistance, due to her declining mobility. She appreciated the care that was given to her and made friends with many of her care givers.  She resided first at Esterhazy, then Theodore Health Care Home, then made her final home at the Yorkton Care Home.

We would like to thank all her coffee friends that faithfully came and visited her at the Care Homes.  She so looked forward to all these visitors.

In spring of this year, Valerie suffered a Stroke, and then she faced many additional health challenges.

She fought a hard battle, but her disease and health issues over took her, and she passed away at the age of 66, the evening of October 5, 2022.

Holidays and traditions were very important to Valerie which she instilled in her boys and grand kids. When Valerie was not able to cook for special occasions. She would love watching her boys and grand kids preparing the meals while listening to their laughs and conversations. Sometime shaking her head at the stories being told. Valerie loved giving advice on cooking and teaching everyone her own recipes.

Grand well always cherish their 25th anniversary  Alaskan cruise, it was a highlight in their lives.

Mom always taught us that we should always enjoy the simple things in life. A simple walk down the road or a bike ride at night that sometimes turned into a race. A  hotdog cooked over the fire was Mom’s favorite family evening meal. Morning coffee on the deck from spring til fall or at the table was always at the top of the list when family or friends visited. Family meals together after work, talking about everyone’s day.

When the boys were growing up they always looked forward to our annual Perogie making day. They would work hard during the day making them. Then they would would put on their comfy pants and have a perogie eating competition, which would always be a tight race.

Viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm from the chapel at Christie's Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will be held for Valerie on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm from the Springside Community Hall. This service will be recorded and posted here later for those unable to attend.    

Interment will follow in the Springside Town Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Valerie may be made to Yorkton District Nursing Home for patient comfort or to Springside Cemetery for beautification projects.