Valerie Lee (Marlow) Hundert, an energetic volunteer and devoted citizen of Mission, passed away on September 21, 2014 at the Christine Morrison Hospice, Mission, with her husband of 51 years, Melvern Hundert, and family members at her side. She was 88. She was born October 2, 1925 in Milestone, Sask., the daughter of Marion Lee Young and Robert Alexander Marlow, and sister to Ken Marlow of St. Albert, Alta., all of whom have predeceased her. Valerie was raised in Simcoe, Ont. where after high school; she completed a Secretarial Business Course and later graduated in home economics from MacDonald Institute, Ontario Agricultural College (Guelph) in 1947. In London Ont., Valerie worked for CFPL radio and television stations. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open her first shop - Craft Cottage in Springbank Park, London. In Toronto, where she married Mel, she worked in advertising before returning to her passion – operating an antique shop ‘The Emporium’ in Toronto and later in Brooklin, Ont. She also began her volunteer career spending many years in community service in Brooklin and Whitby. Once Valerie and Mel went west to Mission in 1991, they never looked back. Valerie immediately became actively involved in a number of community groups, including the Mission Artists’ Assn, the Mission Arts Council, the Mission Hospital Auxiliary (Cottage Thrift Shop) and the Mission-Kent Liberal Assn. She was a founding member of the Heritage Association and through her visionary planning and creative collaborations; she became a driving force in developing Fraser River Heritage Park. Valerie’s volunteer contributions have been recognized with a number of awards, including : MUSE Lifetime Achievement Award (2014) presented by the District of Mission Cultural Resources Commission; the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee award (2012), District of Mission Freeman of the City Award (2002), Myrtle Evrett Award – Woman of the Year (1999), Citizen of the Year (1998), BC Seniors Award (1997). Valerie is survived by her husband, Melvern Hundert, and four children – Lee Allison Howe (Patrick), Toronto; John Allison (Joanne), Langley; Joan Allison, Toronto; and Paul Hundert, Toronto. She is also survived by three grandchildren – Jennifer Allison and Angela Boyce (Ryan) of BC; and Julia Howe of Toronto. Her generous, fun-loving spirit will be missed by her family and her many loyal friends. Valerie’s philosophy was: “I bloom where I am planted”. We know that she will continue to bloom in our hearts and inspire us to “think of others”. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to install a memorial bench in Valerie’s honour at her beloved Heritage Park by sending a cheque to the Mission Heritage Association, PO Box 3341, Mission V2V 4J5 or a contribution to the Christine Morrison Hospice. Thank you to Dr. Pomeroy and the wonderful staff at Mission Memorial Hospital for their care. A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held a later date in conjunction with the dedication of her memorial bench.