Hailing from Derbyshire, England, Valerie Anne Codling was born on August 2, 1938, and grew into a woman of wit, wisdom, and warmth whose presence enriched the lives of all who knew her. After nearly 30 years living with multiple sclerosis — and the last decade spent bedridden — Val never let her illness define her. She was, to the end, a lovely woman with a great sense of humour that could brighten any room.
Val is survived by her two beloved grandchildren, Camille and Jasmine, and countless friends whose lives were touched by her kindness. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Dave, and son Dale, whose hard work, care and dedication allowed Val to remain in the comfort of her own home — something she deeply cherished and insisted upon. In her final days, she was surrounded by family and close friends, before passing peacefully on July 31, 2025, two days before her birthday.
A true wellspring of knowledge, Val could outplay almost anyone at Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune. Her expertise spanned history, culinary arts, geography, and arts and culture to just name a few. She was the go-to person for a recipe, an essay topic, or a good book recommendation. An avid reader — especially of murder mystery and fantasy — Val likely read every such title in the Oshawa Public Library. In recent years, the wonderful library staff prepared bundles of new books for her every few weeks, marveling that she still had any left to read.
Her family, friends, and caregivers will continue to remember her fondly with affection and respect. Her strength, intelligence, and humour never faltered, even in the face of hardship.
Val’s life was defined by her enduring love for learning, her sharp wit, and her unwavering care for those she loved. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
The family will be holding a celebration of life for Valerie Codling on September 20th, 2025 from 1-5pm. We invite anyone who felt a connection to Valerie to come by and enjoy her memory together at her residence.