JOSEPHINE (VALERIE) STRONG

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JOSEPHINE (VALERIE) STRONG

(nee GRACEFFO)

February 14, 1938 - June 19, 2025

It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved Mother, Val, on June 19, 2025, at Riverview Health Centre, at the age of 87.

Our Mother is survived by her three children, Dave, Ken, and Lauren. Their families: Emilie, Isabella, and Samantha; Arlene, Ashley, Daniel, and their mother Kerry; Fred, Mathew, and Chris. Also surviving, is her sister Sally and her family.

Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Murray, on January 23, 2018, and they had their 60th wedding anniversary on August 31, 2019. Mom was also predeceased by her dearly loved parents, Jim (1999), and Eva (nee Bauer) (1998) Graceffo, and brother-in-law Al (2005).

Mom lived in Winnipeg all her life. When she was young, she sang in the Winnipeg Girl’s Choir. She attended Lord Roberts, Tec-Voc, and Success Business College. She was always artistically talented, and in her mid-years she started painting in oils. She painted beautiful pictures for her home, family and friends.

Mom loved the simple things in life, going for walks with Dad, always holding hands, and beautiful flowers, as her backyard would attest to; birds, animals, and the ocean. Mom also loved tending to her little garden, especially her tomatoes as she loved the garden tomatoes! There was always a cup of coffee ready when friends and neighbours dropped by and she was a great cook, and, of course, everyone loved Mom’s pastries.

Mom was a little on the quiet side, but she also had a quick wit and a devilish side and would come out with zingers, when you were not expecting them. She was stubbornly independent, yet a very positive and content lady.

We all know how much our Mother loved us and her grandchildren, by her actions and deeds. When her six grandchildren arrived, she said “that’s the icing on the cake for me!”. She loved them with all her heart, and was always interested in what they were doing and to receive their loving hugs. Mom always believed in being thankful for what you have, and never worrying about what you don’t have.

Empathy came naturally to our Mom and she touched the hearts of many in her life’s journey with her warm smile, sincere hugs, and her kind and caring ways.

Mom will be missed by her lifelong friends, some up to 70 plus years, her old neighbours from Marshall Bay, and her dear friends at Stonecrest; in BC England, and Australia.

In her lifetime mom worked for a Demurrage Bureau, the Provincial Government, a Chartered Accountancy firm, and an Insurance Adjusting company.

Many thanks to Dr. S. Permack, for his excellent care of our mother for many years; to Dr. P. Skrabeck, and her team at CancerCare, the Buhler Cancer Centre at Victoria Hospital. To Dr. J. Scott-Herridge and several other specialists that kept a check on our Mother’s health over the years.

Mom also wants to thank all the Handi-Transit and Handi-Transit Plus drivers for all their help for the many years of services she received.

Thank you to all the staff at Riverview Palliative Care for providing all the care, and support to Val, and family, in her last days.

Respecting Mom’s wishes, no funeral will be held. All she wanted was her ashes to be put with our Dad’s and next to her parents in St. Mary’s Cemetery, with family present. Please, rather than flowers make a donation to a charity of your choice.

I know my family loved me,

My friends will remember me,

And the lord will accept me,

I had a good life!



Remember me in your heart, and if you wish, raise a glass in my honour.

Till we meet again, Val.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 28, 2025