Val passed peacefully Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by her daughters after a decade long battle with vascular dementia.
Valerie was born Saturday, September 26, 1942 in Bathurst, Australia and had a lifelong deep love and enthusiasm for her homeland down under. She came to the United States from Sydney Australia in March of 1969 after marrying Paul Edward Moody during the Vietnam war when he was on R&R. She went from the big city of Sydney to rural Darby Montana and embraced every change that came next with curiosity and eagerness. She was embraced by Paul’s family and formed lifelong bonds with them all. In 1975 she and Paul bought a drive-in restaurant in Marblemount, WA and became icons in the upriver community. In 1986 they sold the drive in and went to work for Seattle City Light which is where she retired.
Some people have hobbies and Val’s was loving her grandkids as she was the very best Nana and she embraced that role with love, spoiling (and occasional bragging) at every opportunity. Her hobbies in addition to being a loving mother and nana were her ability to hold traditions of all kinds as sacred. Birthdays, Anniversaries and Holidays were acknowledged and celebrated in ways so outlandish that they will always be the fabric of memories for those of us left behind.
Val was preceded in death by her husband Paul Moody, her late in life significant other and best friend James Early, her grandson Joe Hughes and her daughter Sydney along with many other relatives and siblings that were near and dear to her.
Valerie is survived by her daughters Janise (Jonathan) Rands, Carrie (Kurt Wank) Moody. Her grandsons Glen Hughes and Dimitri Wank and many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
A Celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday February 4th, 2023 at Lemley Funeral Chapel 1008 3rd Street, Sedro Woolley WA 98284. Share your memories of Val and sign the online guest register.
When you think of Val, you smile. She would bring a smile to anyone that had the blessing of running into her. Whether it was at the drive-in for ice cream, at work at City Light, or at one of the many ball games she attended. There was always a warm hug and that smile. She will be missed.
It has been a long time, but what I remember most are their personalities and their Drive Inn at Marblemount. I worked for many, many years on the “Up River” run with the telephone company, (Contel), and often in the little cement building across the highway and slightly West of their Drive Inn. When I had the chance, I would walk across the highway at lunch time and grab a burger. Often included a little visiting with Val or Paul. And it was always pleasant. I had been to, “Oz,” in 1979, and that brought out a lot of good chats about Australia. Sorry to hear this but really good memories.
“Back in the day” we had a lot of fun and what I remember about Val, was when anyone walked into a room, she made them feel welcome. I’ll always see her face, brightened with a big smile, saying, “Well hi Janis! How are ya love?” As others have said, Val never had a bad thing to say about anyone, she just loved. Val blessed us all with her presence on earth and now she’ll find good company among the angels above.
I hadn’t seen Val in years.In fact the last time I did see that beautiful face was at the Good Food in Marblemount.Needless to say that was a WHILE ago.She was the kind of person who would make sure she said hello when she spotted you and that was always welcome.I can remember her laugh and that accent gave her that extra KICK in her personality for sure.After the loss of my Mom she always made me feel loved,whether it was months or years that passed,it was always the caring concern by Her and a few other BEAUTIFUL women that kept me grounded.I am truly sorry to the families and truly beleive in my heart we will be seeing them soon.May God Bless You.
I have waited to write something because I was trying to get it straight in my head exactly how I felt about Val. She was one of the nicest most giving woman I had ever met. She always had a kind word to say about most everyone she met. Blah Blah Blah, everyone said those things. What I want to say is that at the end of my fathers life, she completed him. Just by her being in the same room with him he was happy. The last 22 years he had lost so much and she was right there holding his hand and making him feel better. For that I can never say thank you enough. She put an instant smile on the faces of my grandkids and great niece and nephew. She would walk into the room and they knew that they were in for a treat. She would make them smile and giggle and play with them when all the other adults were to busy. And she loved it. She shared her love of Australia, Gone with the Wind and Wine with me. At the time I rolled my eyes and thought she was crazy, which is what I called her but you could hear in her voice how proud she was and how much she loved those things. She fit into our family like she was born to be there and for that there is not enough words to express how special that is. Janice and Carrie, I hope you both have so many memories of her that you will never run out of smiles. She is so happy now I am sure of it. In her mind this is where she has been for awhile. Until we meet again Val….. RIP.
Many healing prayers to her family. Val was a sweet lady and will be missed by many.
Those we love don’t go away they walk beside us every day unseen unheard but always near so loved so missed so very dear remembering my beloved sister always in our hearts Your loving brother Peter and sister in law Irene may you rest in peace with all those who have gone before you forever in our hearts 💝💝💝
we will miss valerie very much and think often of the fun times. especially our visits to marblemount. we also enjoyed the visits that she and Jim made to
darby, to spend time with us. our prayers and thoughts are with you girls and your families. all our love, Paul and kathy Honey.
A beautiful woman inside and out. One of my first memories of Valerie was at her grandson’s cowboy themed birthday party. She was so friendly and loving! Some people just have a genuine warmth and Val had it in spades…
My condolences to the family, Janise and Carrie, you were blessed to have her as your mom. Hugs to you.
What a sweetheart. Val was generous when others could be stingy and accommodating when others may be selfish. She had something sweet to say always. Running into Val was like going to the candy store, you walked away smiling and how could you not, Luv.?
Such a beautiful photo of Val, I have very fond memories of her trips to Oz and loved sharing some of her adventures and a glass of wine or two, may she rest with all our loved ones and will forever be in our hearts ❤️