ValerieROBINSON OBEOn Sunday, February 13, peacefully at home with her loving sister by her side, Valerie aged 80. She leaves her beloved sister Carole, who has been a constant companion and best friend, living with her for the past year, nephews Andrew and Kevin, great-niece and nephew Iona and Jay, great-great-niece and nephew Esmie and Lyle, as well as special friends Lil and Ginny, and many friends nationwide. Val was born in Accrington in 1941 to parents Bill and Doris Walsh. She attended H.S and Chelsea College of Physical Education. Val’s first teaching post was at Ellesmere Port G.G.S where she met and married Gwyn, her rock and best friend for 55 years. Val represented England at hockey for 21 years including 19 Wembley appearances and five World Cups in Germany, N.Z., Edinburgh, Vancouver, and Kuala Lumpur. She represented the first Great Britain squad formed for women’s first official qualification for entry into the Moscow Olympics. Although they qualified, hockey decided to boycott over Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan. Officialdom also meant G.B missed out on the Los Angeles Olympics four years later. She also competed in and won the U.K. Women’s Superstars in 1978 and 1980. Val loved all sports and outdoor activities and particularly enjoyed walking with Gwyn and their beautiful Dobermans Fritz and Ella. In 1980 she and Gwyn gave up two responsible teaching posts in a venture to open a residential sports centre at Foxhill Bank House in Oswaldtwistle, for schools and adult clubs. During the limited amount of leisure time, Val served as President of Oswaldtwistle Civic Society, and was a member of the Prospects Panel. She was proud of having helped with the building of a straw bale toilet, a footpath and bridges, and the growing of trees from seed at Tinker Brook Nursery. Her love and enjoyment of playing hockey continued with Great Harwood and Blackburn until the age of 65! She also enjoyed running with Accrington Road Runners. She was a member of Accrington Golf Club and enjoyed that camaraderie of the ladies section, the mixed events with husband Gwyn, team events, and regional and national competitions with her friend Lil. Val will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving her. Val’s funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday, February 23, at 1.40pm. Please wear bright colours, Val requested no black to be worn. Family flowers only please; donations in memory of Val are being gratefully received on behalf of Cancer Research UK c/o champfunerals. com/obituaries Funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Clayton-le-Moors.
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