Valara Marie Pembroke

Our beloved wife, mom, and grandmother, Valora “Val” Marie Pembroke, passed away on May 23, 2010 at home surrounded by her family. It was her and dad’s 51st anniversary. Mom was the family’s cornerstone and her love of life and family are forever engrained in those of us left behind.

Val was born in Butte on August 17, 1930 to James and Florence Hall. She was preceded in death by a son, Eric; her sisters, Henrietta, Eleanor, and Dolores; and her parents.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Harold “Sonny”; a sister, Lily May “Red” Delude (Grant) of Helena; 3 daughters, Elaine (Russ) Reichelt of Yuma, Arizona, Florence (John) Smith of Townsend, and Amy of Helena; 3 sons, Michael, Arthur, and James (Jeannine) all of Helena; a daughter-in-law, Villa (Eric) of Butte; Her extended family Kathy (Tim) Royston, Liz (Harold) Johnson of Helena and Jim Garden of Idaho; and way too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mention!

Val moved to Helena in 1957 with her three oldest children, Elaine, Eric and Mike to start a new life. On May 23, 1959 she married the love of her life, Harold “Sonny” and began an adventure that spanned over half a century and included adding 4 more kids to the mix! Mom spent the better part of the 1960’s and 70’s raising the children, and working as a cook for various local restaurants. She also operated Val’s drive-in for a time and finished her cooking career at Carroll College in the early 1990’s.

Once the kids were grown her passion was transferred to the grandkids. She adored them all and the photos and memories of her taking them to the cabin for weeks at a time or having sleepovers at Grandma’s are still treasured by all. Mom loved the outdoors and because of her we all share that yearning to escape to the mountains anytime that opportunity presents itself. Summers at the cabin, fishing, building go-carts, drive-in movies and just having fun, are memories we will cherish forever. Mom’s love for the kids was never more obvious than when her and Sonny decided to have two neighbor kids, Jim and Kathy Garden, move in with us permanently when their mother passed away.

Mom never was conditional with her love, but she also never hesitated to tell you her opinion. In her later years it was never uncommon for her to be found handing out dollar bills to children while out dining or shopping. She absolutely loved the twinkle in the kid’s eyes as they would be so excited.

Family will begin to receive friends Monday, May 31 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11am at the Anderson, Stevenson, Wilke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to St. Peters Hospice, 2475 Broadway St., Helena, MT 59601 or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.