LARKIN, Valerie

The Record-Courier 1 Nov 2012 Valerie Larkin, 66, longtime John Day resident died on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. A Graveside service was held on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, at Canyon City Cemetery. Valerie Fay was born on Jan. 9, 1946 to William and Victoria (Mitchell) McKinnon in Baudette, Minnesota. She was the youngest of 6 children. Their family moved to Mitchell, Ore., and she soon started grammar school. North Powder was also their home before they moved to John Day. Valerie graduated from Grant Union High School on May 28, 1965. Valerie met her husband Barney Larkin in the winter of 1964 at a local restaurant. She soon invited him to her Junior/Senior Prom in the spring of 1965. It was a love that bloomed quickly and Barney proposed to her on May 18, 1965. She said “Yes!” They were married just one day after graduation on May 29, 1965. They spent 47 beautiful years of marriage together. Valerie enjoyed being a homemaker but also worked at the Grant County Cleaners for a few years. She later managed The Gold Town Pizza Parlor. She later took care of her father and mother for several years. Valerie loved spending time with her family and babysitting her nieces and nephews. She always cared more about everyone else than she did herself. She was everybody’s mom and best friend! Her children, Jaime and Jeremy had many friends that also called her mom. She never missed a game or an event that her children were participating in. She made it to every family event and gathering that she could. Valerie’s life became even more joyous with the birth of her beautiful granddaughter Alyx. She was proceeded in death by her mother Victoria (Mitchell) McKinnon, her father William McKinnon and her oldest sister Beverly (McKinnon) Klish. Valerie is survived by her husband Barney Larkin of John Day, son Jeremy Larkin of Prineville, Ore., daughter, Jaime Larkin and granddaughter, Alyx Larkin of Pendleton, Ore.; brothers, Charles McKinnon, Dennis McKinnon and Donald McKinnon; sister, Shirley (McKinnon) Mentzer; numerous nieces and nephews. For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Valerie, her family suggests Blue Mountain Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834.