Valerie Frances DYSON

Published on 02/12/2022

DYSON Valerie Frances Died peacefully at her home in Lightcliffe, Halifax, following a short illness. Born into humble circumstances, Valerie went on to excel academically and forge two careers, the first in teaching and the second in counselling, the latter of which she continued to practise until this year. Widowed in 2017 on the death of her husband George, she leaves behind three children, Simon, Amanda and Jonathan, a grandchild, Kristian, and great-grandchild, Millie, and is survived by her half-siblings Carole and John. A "war baby", Valerie was born in May 1940 in Bradford to Frank and Margaret Dunne. Tragically Frank was to die the following year in the Battle of Crete. Despite being a gifted pupil, circumstances meant that Valerie had to leave school aged 14. Five years later, working as a secretary, she met her future husband, George, a trainee dyer. Married in January 1960, their subsequent life together was largely dictated by George's career in the textile industry, which led them to relocate first to Lancashire, then Glasgow, before returning to West Yorkshire. In spite of this disruption and the challenges of family life, Valerie set about acquiring the education that she had missed out on, culminating in a Certificate in Education at Margaret McMillan School of Education, University of Leeds in 1977 and, following early retirement, a Master of Arts in Counselling at Bretton Hall, University of Leeds in 2002. She taught for many years at All Saints' Church of England Primary School in Bradford, a job which she loved. As a therapist she worked in private practice but she also did voluntary work, including for Noah's Ark counselling service in Halifax. Both careers allowed her to help people achieve their full potential in life, which was always her ultimate goal. Apart from family and work, Valerie's passions were reading and shopping, in particular for clothes. She remained stylish to the end and also remarkably fit and youthful, practising yoga, swimming and looking after her beautiful home and garden. An interment service will be held on 10th December at 10.15am at Park Wood Crematorium in Elland. Enquiries to Co-op Funeralcare, Brighouse on 01484 713512. No flowers please but for those who want to, donations to Noah's Ark counselling service in Halifax or to the charity Cats Protection she also leaves behind two cats, Rosie and Bella. But Valerie would be equally delighted if you went shopping and bought yourself something lovely to remember her by. Valerie Frances Dyson, born May 11th 1940. Died November 7th 2022

Tributes

Create a tribute, leave a message or share a picture.

Sign in to add a tribute