LARKIN, Valerie

Valerie Larkin, 66, longtime John Day resident, died Oct. 15, at Blue Mountain Hospital. A graveside service was held Oct. 20 at Canyon City Cemetery. Valerie Fay Larkin was born Jan. 9, 1946, the youngest of six children, to William and Victoria (Mitchell) McKinnon, in Baudette, Minn. The family moved to Mitchell, then North Powder, and John Day. On May 28, 1965, she graduated from Grant Union High School. In winter of 1964, she met her husband Barney Larkin at a local restaurant, and invited him to her junior/senior prom in spring of 1965. On May 18, 1965, he proposed to her, and they married the day after graduation, on May 29, 1965. She enjoyed being a homemaker, but also worked at Grant County Cleaners, and managed the Gold Town Pizza Parlor. She later took care of her father and mother for several years. She enjoyed spending time with family, and babysitting her nieces and nephews. She cared more about everyone else than herself, and was everyone’s mom and best friend. She never missed any of her children’s games or events, and many of their friends called her “mom.” She made it to every family event and gathering that she could. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Barney Larkin of John Day; son, Jeremy Larkin of Prineville; daughter Jaime Larkin of Pendleton; granddaughter, Alyx Larkin of Pendleton; brothers, Charles McKinnon, Dennis McKinnon and Donald McKinnon; sister, Shirley (McKinnon) Mentzer; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Victoria (Mitchell) McKinnon; father, William McKinnon; and oldest sister, Beverly (McKinnon) Klish. Memorial donations may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. bluemountaineagle.com 23 October 2012