Valerie Joan Myers

Valerie Joan Warren, born in Hampshire England UK at Aldershot Garrison Army Base, where her dad was stationed. Born to Daisy Rose Stacey (an unwanted child adopted by a relative) and Tom Derrick Warren. Shortly after the birth, mom and baby went home to reside in the Midlands, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England UK.

But mom’s cheeky dad Tom Derrick never worried his family had gone home as he would grab his motorbike, steal base gasoline and ride home every chance he got. Only upon his return to the Garrison, being thrown into the stockade by his master sergeant father! Many an adventurous (and some even flamboyant) determined nature, runs in the Warren side of the family line it seems, giving way to a spirited independent soul in their eldest, Valerie.

Though born in war torn Europe mom’s early recollections were of rare days outside playing and putting out piecemeal flame embers as well as the day unrecognizable neighbor survivors came home from Nazi Germany concentration camps after liberation. Indelved childhood memories.

After the war there was little to no food so ration cards were used. Eventually Valerie found herself being sent off to her Aunt Joan’s pig farm in the countryside where she resided and attended a much despised all girls boarding school, graduating early. In the countryside ration cards were nearly unheard of as meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables were plentiful. Perhaps deemed fortunate to have this luxury farm life, it was not easy or pleasant, especially obtaining the main course, their chickens, and (pet) rabbits. Mom didn’t eat much meat!

After graduating at age 16 she worked until able to barely afford a passage to Canada at age 19, with a few spare coins left over and only what she could carry on. In Hamilton Ontario mom met up with girlfriends, where she and another shared a train station flat. It shook nearly 24/7 and only one could sleep in it at a time, thus working opposite shifts.

Met the love of her life Glennon, on a girl’s trip down to a NYC Easter Day Parade. Later married with two daughters, the family enjoyed travelling throughout their lifetime taking many lengthy trips abroad and across the USA.

We love our UK family!  When in Leamington, stayed with mom’s sister Rosemary (Nigel, Sarah, and Elaine), or my nearby grandparents. When in London, stayed off East Finchley with her dad’s sister Val (Manny, and William, their girls gone by then).

The husbands: Nigel test drove Jaguars and Range Rovers in the Black Forest and Manny can still be found under his stage name at IMDb: Manny Wynn.

More fun UK family facts just because. Some were industrious, a clockmaker (Jerome Denny Bright – Saxmundham), Edward Crossley MP – astronomer - Crossley 36inch Reflector, and two steam locomotive manufacturers, Wilkinson, and Muspratt Works-Widnes.

Many others included those who were forward-thinking and had colorful, bold, brilliant, creative lifestyles.

Such as, Lydia Bradford 1719-1756, Lady Baillie, Suze Randall, Victor August Herbert, Andrew Reed 1787-1862, John William Waterhouse, Eric Muspratt of James Sheridan Muspratt, Sir Edward Baines, and so many more. Quite fascinating ancestry.

Both my parents were musically progressive. Dad got us stereos and albums, along with his system meant we were always singing and dancing. Mom was fond of All the World on Kansas Masque album. Mom and I both enjoyed Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon, but the best song on it was Time. In 9^th grade we were to bring our favorite song to music class. I almost got expelled for bringing that in. Thanks mom, great choice. Too funny. My parents always had our back, regardless. They were much more musically inclined than that music teacher of the time, that’s for sure.

Those two songs are almost ironic now.

We enjoyed going to many local concert venues, and the best was their last. We saw Yanni at Riverport. Highly recommend The Rain Must Fall and Within Attraction…Live at the Acropolis on You Tube.

My parents were so enjoyable to be with as we did many great diverse things together throughout life, always.

I’d like to thank all our great neighbors growing up, but it all began with Helen Hood who taught my mom to drive and helped get her license! Enabling later for mom to go to college (Food Service Supervisor for over 30 years) which afforded her the luxury to get the plastic surgery she so desired (in the 1970’s), with no thanks to dad. Though he approved later of course!

I’d like to thank all the kindness of the first responders during the many multiple visits and SSM hospice in general, for the care and support provided. Especially Alicia, Luz and private duty Heather!

I appreciate hospice affirming the quality of proper care I’d given to my mother who was with me for over two years. Knowing anything less would be remiss of my responsibility, otherwise. Working out of the home afforded me the ability to be near 24/7. As well, my mom’s confidence, made caring for her unconditionally, quite humbling.

When you are providing attention for the duration, it is instinctively automatic just doing inherently what is right, true, and correct to the best of your ability each day because that is the level of care you would want if ever in the same situation.

Thus, a very proud caretaker daughter as mom often thanked me for being together, stating that she felt safe. Life was good. She was clean, well kept, calm, in very good skin condition, given everything she desired or may have ever needed. So much love!  Also, a very tough job. But it is the least that could be done in return for the great life provided me.

Honestly exhausted yet privileged to care for every need and be near till mom’s last breath at approximately 5am Dec 14^th.

I have now witnessed the lengthy step-by-step process a dementia patient goes through to demise and in retrospect, it is quite humbling indeed.

Mom was just a brilliant, lovely, strong, kind person. Growing up I recall a few of mom’s favorite ways to occupy time was walking daily to the library with kids in tow, the NY Times crossword puzzle and exercising to Jack LaLanne. During school years at Assumption my mom worked food service across the street at the Sisters House on North Main in O’Fallon, later at Parkside in St Charles.

Ours was a peaceful, fun, pleasant, honest household, for which I am forever grateful.

Mom, I love you, miss you so very much already, and forevermore. Best mom ever!

Valerie is preceded in death by her husband Glennon H Myers Jr, eldest daughter Margaret (Myers) Williams, parents Daisy and Tom Warren (UK), and always son in law, Terrance Michael Cronin.

Valerie is survived by her youngest daughter Rachel Warren (Myers) Cronin. As well as her most precious grandchildren, Jesse (Stephanie & great grandbaby boy-to-be) Grelle, Lauren (James) Athanasiou, Emily (Tim) Petrillo, plus two great-grandchildren Stevie and Zachary Petrillo.

With great love for our relatives, extended family, and neighbors, thank you all. So many good times together! What a great life!