Our radiant Valerie passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC on October 25th at the young age of 58.
Val is survived by her partner Steve Cochran and step-daughter Chloe, her parents Bert and Lorraine Adamson, siblings Sara (Cam), Susan (niece Haedy), Dan (Amanda; nephew Mitchell, niece Alexandra), her in-laws Mike (Mary-Jill), Amanda (Nick; nieces Maddison, Annabelle), Brianna (John; nieces Abigail, Camilla, Bridget Valerie), James (Izumi; nephew Noah, niece Emma), and Craig (Crystal; nephew Phoenix, niece Violet), and many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends who Val also considered her family.
Val lived her life with purpose and as one rarely does – with a wide-open heart, deep curiosity, a true zest for life, and unwavering love for and commitment to those in her vast circle.
Purely by being herself, Val’s vibrancy lit up any room she walked into with her sparkling blue eyes, gorgeous red hair, gregarious personality, warm smile, and of course, that famous laugh! Her natural instinct was to create a good vibe and have fun wherever she went. Val was generous, kind, caring, daring, resilient, and she brought a sense of joy and healing to those around her.
For Val, it was all about connection – to family and friends, to the earth and to her spirituality. She truly enjoyed spending time with people, getting to know them better and forging lifelong friendships. Val’s remarkable gift was to listen and remember what you said, and she was well known for her unique way of making everyone feel special.
Val travelled the world and made a point of exploring new places and experiencing the local culture. She would invite family and friends to visit her as often as possible, and was always so proud to introduce her guests to every member of the entourage. The time spent with Val was an opportunity to share music, laughter and memorable one-of-a-kind experiences.
As much as Val reveled in her life on the road, she cherished coming back home, whether it was Edmonton, Toronto, New York or Vancouver. She loved to host dinner parties, have barbeques on the beach, go on camping trips, hike in the forest, read a good book or simply watch a glorious sunset. Auntie Val especially adored the precious moments with her nieces and nephews.
And who can forget the many Valapaloozzas, her annual multi-day birthday bashes. Whether a wig party or 70s-themed boat cruise with a playlist for the ages, Val always celebrated in style while the rest of us tried to keep up with her.
Val was thrilled to move to Vancouver Island in 2021, to be closer to her parents and family, and put down roots with Steve to create a very special oasis together in their own home.
Val was courageous and determined (sometimes a little stubborn!). She believed in authenticity and stayed true to her convictions. Val blazed her own trail and showed us all a different way of seeing the world, in both good and challenging times, with abundant optimism.
Val will be dearly missed, and we take comfort knowing that her adventurous spirit will forever soar free.
As there are too many people to mention, we would like to thank everyone who helped Val on her personal and spiritual journey over the past several months and years.
We’d also like to share a bit of advice that Val offered up on many an occasion: Be present and just go with the flow!!
A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please take a walk on your favourite beach, dip your toes in the water and enjoy the moment.
Donations may be made to an organization of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
43 Responses
My heartfelt condolences to you, Steve, and to Val’s family. I will forever be touched by your beautiful heart, generosity, infectious laugh and red-haired, fiery determination, Val. Your stealth and positivity are two exceptional qualities that will continue to inspire me.
Many Gentle Blessings to you Val on your journey back to spirit, and your Beloved Steve, and family.
My friend Sal said it best if Val didn’t go straight to heaven there isn’t one.
And we all know she’s sharing her Val laugh with everyone there.
My love to all that knew her and every time you light a candle think of Val’s light she leaves in us all.
Xx Cathy
We met you, while still living in Vancouver, as a free spirited, happy and loving person. Thankful to have been able to spend time with you. Gone too soon, may your journey continue elsewhere…..
Sending our deepest condolences to Steve, family and friends.
Lots of Love an strength,
Tony, Antonietta
Our heartfelt sympathy to Val’s family, close friends and those she touched with her welcoming spirit. Val and I connected back in 1990 while both working with a Toronto concert promoter. Val had a spontaneity and vibrancy that hooked me from the start. She was both curious and impatient for her future – she wanted it to happen now! At the start, Val looked at both my partner, Peter and myself as mentors and life-coaches. However, it wasn’t long before she was fulfilling her dreams of running her own show and then finally going on the road with The Rolling Stones. We became her home-away-from-home in Toronto – storing her furniture, her seasonal clothes and simply providing a place of refuge in her travelling life. Val reciprocated many times over with our own visits to wherever she was working in the world, NYC and finally, Vancouver. After settling there, I introduced her to my life-long friend, Sonya and they soon became fast friends. Then Steve came into her life – another dream fulfilled. I’m sure she charmed him with her openness and that laugh; who could resist? Val loved her new life, especially the proximity to her family and made all the shifts and changes to accommodate it as well as her growing spirituality. In my mind, Val had a whole lot more living to do, and if there is a silver lining, it’s that she crammed so much more into her 58 years than most. May her spirit soar and her earthly soul rest in peace. In loving remembrance, Nancy and Peter.
Leave-taking
– Sonya Weir
Soul sister, you slipped through
that crack in the universe
before any of us were ready.
You shone so brightly
blazing your path,
a fierce defender
of justice and your wrath
awe-inspiring when
you levelled it at the unjust.
You are cosmic justice,
the Goddess Maat on fire
unwavering in your truth
unflinching in your desire
to be real.
I hope you know how
loved you are
as you travel the cosmos
journeying through the stars.
No longer tethered to the Earth
you have a new home
and it is one I cannot know.
Dolphin Dreams Delight
please help me let you go.
What a beautiful essay about a beautiful soul. I could actually hear her laugh and her iconic “go with the flow” as I read it. It was always a thrill to be on an adventure with her, whether and actual expedition or an adventure of the heart the memories are forever golden.
I remember taking this photo with Valerie at the little Cuban Restaurant on Browns Line in Toronto. You were so pleased as it was such a great photo! I’d just shown you my new condo after returning to Toronto from Ireland! Our stomachs hurt so much as we were laughing so hard! Thank you for your friendship, the Indy Races we attended in Toronto, the Yoga we shared…. The moves we did… the concerts we worked, that time when we worked the Lynsey Buckingham concert in Toronto and Lynsey thought we were the support babes for the night and that we were so cute!!! That Christmas we shared in Victoria when I was having a very tough time, taking your direction to out a novel to read cover to cover at your parents house and Christmas Dinner at your Aunt’s! The walks we did through OakBay with your Dad, Bert! Such wonderful Memories!!! I am drinking coffee presently in my favourite mug given to me at that special Christmas in Victoria… still one of my most favourites! All the DEF LEPPARD concerts spent together helping you doing the VIP events! That Grateful Dead concert we attended in Hamilton where we spent hours in the drum circle after the concert! It was epic! My visits to Vancouver spending days with you at your house on Fifth… so fun! I miss you terribly but know you did your best and again thank you for being you! Sending my condolences to your Steve and of course to your amazing family. You were taken too soon, but your impact was so great and far reaching. Thank you my friend, you made my life and everybody’s life you touched Better!
Valapolozza Forever!
Love, Deirdre xo ❤️
Val, you are very much missed but your presence in our lives will endure. Too many memories to mention but the quintessential ones for me, for many years, were those of the fun and adventure on the many concert tours you worked or had connections to.
I loved being able to vicariously enjoy the excitement and adventures of your travels, but even though your travel adventures were inspiring, you really shone at creating a home and refuge, and imbuing it with your style and personality. Your generosity and thoughtfulness as a host were much appreciated on every visit I enjoyed to your home, be it Toronto, New York, Vancouver or Victoria.
I share my deepest condolences with all those closest to Val and to all the extended family and friends whose lives she touched.
I met Val through Lauren Cornish and the book club. There was an instant connection with her. She always had something positive to say, a great story to share, personal experiences of her many travels without sounding boastful but more in awe of the world and her travels through it. When she met Steve her eyes sparkled when she mentioned him, never one to say too much, but she was smitten! She loved her family dearly and spoke often of them with pride and love. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss of such an amazing woman. She really was a bright star in the world and spread her magic to many people.
It was in sacred spaces where we were as you journeyed. So powerful in your intent, open hearted with a mindset of steel yet as lovely as a butterfly’s wing. You were so willing to heal and discover what needed to be seen and you always dove in!!! Such a role model for living life fully.
A joy and honour to have shared these sacred spaces with you….. continue on your great adventures!
Spirit Hugs
Gael and Marilyn