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
Our deepest condolences to Valerie’s family and I hope your memories of her beautiful spirit and contagious love of life and laugh will grant you some peace during this impossible time.
Auntie Val will be missed greatly by myself and my children as she gave us such great love and happiness, while she always challenged us think on how to be better.
Love and Hugs from Julia, Peter, Clare & Alice
Valerie was a ray of sunshine and always had kind words and smiles for everyone. It was an honour and a privilege to get to know you! We will miss you!! Have fun up there!
My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
Sending much love, thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of Valerie. I met Valerie twice in Cardiff and Liverpool, UK in December of 2018. I was attending two Def Leppard Meet and Greets. Valerie was so warm and welcoming as I arrived alone in Cardiff. Her wonderful personality soon had all the assembled fans feeling like one special family. Two weeks later in Liverpool, I showed Valerie the gifts that I had brought for the band that night. She was genuinely thrilled to see what I had brought and we talked at length about why I had brought them. That wonderful laugh!! A little while later I won the backstage tour and side-stage experience, meaning I would spend another hour or so in Val’s wonderful company with my friend. Nothing was too much trouble for her. She absolutely revelled in my excitement of having her take multiple photographs of us backstage. I broke down in happy tears and gave her the biggest hug I could, she was like a second mother to me that night and my magical memory maker. I told Val to stop taking our photographs, so that we could take one of her, as she was our celebrity and hero. How she roared with laughter and happily obliged our request! That has and always will be a cherished photograph of mine! Thank you so much Val, for everything you did for myself, my friend and fellow fans at the Def Leppard concerts. I will cherish the memories made with you fondly forever. Fly high forever dear Valorie. Much love from South Wales, United Kingdom xxx
I met Val through a friend who invited me to an Epicure party. I became one of Val’s new recruits and she held my hand as I learned the ropes. We discovered many mutual friends through music and food and I cherish all our conversations about life. I am a better person for having known her.
I was inspired by Valerie’s honest outlook at life. She made any visit feel engaging and she gave you all her attention.
I feel privileged to have met and known you. The world is a little smaller without you in it ❤️
It was the summer of 1989 while working at BCL Entertainment. I was due to take a 3-week vacation on the other side of the world. I had to hire someone to cover me and Valerie soon entered my life. The rest is beautiful history for the concert industry. She made an impact on everyone around her – with her compassion and supportive nature. You always remember how people make you feel in life and my memories of Val are warm and comforting. Last year upon reflection during COVID, I reached out to Valerie and I am truly grateful for our wonderful time sharing our life updates and for the opportunity to let her know how much her support meant to me. My heartfelt condolences to all family, world-wide friends and colleagues.
This is such sad news. Val and I had not be in touch much over the past few years but I remember so vividly her positive flair and brilliant smile and energy. My condolences to all her family and friends. Cathy Cleghorn said it well. Peace
Mark Norman
I met Val working at CPI in Toronto in the late 1980s. We had so much fun working. No matter the late hour. It was great to keep up with her activities over Facebook the last few years I was not able to get out to see her in BC. My sympathies are with her friends and family we have lost a vivacious woman.
Joanne Prince
Dear Bert, Lorraine, Sara, Cam, Susan, Dan, and family,
I send all my love and prayers from Connecticut for the loss of dear Valerie. I have so many memories of this extraordinary woman, whom I met through Joni. I loved every minute I spent with her, whether at Joni’s apartment in NYC for cocktails, canapes’ and legendary dinner parties, to Thanksgiving and backyard BBQs at my home in CT. She exuded “Joie de Vivre” and her laughter was indeed infectious. She was a dear friend of my late brother John. I have been following and engaging with her these past few years on Facebook and loved her cooking videos. I will have a special Mass said for Valerie on her birthday (Sara and Cam I will send you the card). I know your hearts must be breaking over this loss, and I know in time, there will be the comfort of knowing she is clinking champagne glasses in Heaven, reunited with Joni and John. All my love, Megan, Tom, Alexander and James
Hali and I got to know Val and Steve while we lived in Vancouver at the same time. We had a lot of great dinners and coffee dates. They came to some of our wine tastings with our crazy university friends and they fit right in. Val was so funny and full of energy. I was really shocked and saddened to hear about her passing. I’m sorry I haven’t seen in her in such a long time and I wish I could’ve given her a big hug in Victoria when we go in 2 weeks. She’ll be in our hearts always.