Valerie Dowling Morcom was born Valentines Day 1954 in California to Moe and Esther Gonzales. She was nearly a 25 year survivor of CLL and for the last few months bravely fought multiple organ cancers before succumbing June 10th.
Valerie was bright, strong, hardworking, competitive and strikingly attractive. She enjoyed reading, small pond bass fishing, cooking and beachcombing. A lover of novels and her Catholic religious texts , she would Invariably "run" the Bible category on the show Jeopardy. As a devout Catholic, she found great comfort in her faith even during her most trying times. When bass fishing, her pleas "c'mon big boy" when reeling it in will never be forgotten by her fishing partners.. Despite having over 500 cookbooks, she rarely felt the need to crack one open to assist in creating a sumptuous meal. She combed the seashores for treasures from Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys, Sanibel Island on Florida's west coast to the beaches of Cape Cod. She loved attending Red Sox games and was one of the few in attendance who scored the game in the program. She had beautiful flower gardens, even where she was told nothing had ever grown.
As a lover of travel, she enjoyed returning to her hometown of Santa Barbara and exploring Highway 1 north to Big Sur, staying at the unpretentious cottages at Deetjen's. Heading further up the coast to San Francisco, once celebrating a festive Chinese New Year there, and even further up the coast as far as Mendocino.
She always looked forward to her Warner Tai Chi classes with the "girls". She worked for the Hopkinton Food Pantry for many years in various capacities. She was a long time employee of YBP Library Services (now GOBI) working in Customer Service.
She deeply loved and was loved by her family, the three sons; Ammon Dowling and wife Lauren, Max Dowling, and Ben Morcom and wife Jennifer. Val was always there for her boys whether patting them on the back or giving them a kick in a manner of speaking. She adored her Grandchildren; Jade Dowling, True Dowling, Milo Dowling, Gwen Morcom and Marshall Morcom. Except for one feisty granddaughter who insisted on calling her Nana, the others all called her ma'am.
She was predeceased by her parents Moe and Esther Gonzales, brothers Bob, Frank, and Rick and former husband Terry Dowling. She is survived by her husband John, Sister Alicia and brother Nick.
Much appreciation goes to Dr. Briccetti of the Payson Center whose care and attention provided Valerie with many years of a wonderful happy life. Thanks also to Dr. Cornell and his team at Concord Hospitals 5 south as well as Granite VNA Hospice where although her stay was brief showed attentiveness and compassion.
At Valerie's request, there will be no visiting hours and funeral services will be private for Immediate family only. Donations in Valerie's memory may be sent to the Warner or Hopkinton Food Pantry.
Waters Funeral Home is assisting the family.