Funeral Service

Time: 1.40pm

Date: Wednesday 23rd February 2022

Service Details:
Val's funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium. Please wear bright colours Val requested no black to be worn. Val's funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium. The service will be live streamed for all those unable to attend. To log in please visit www.obitus.com and enter the following log in details Username keti8592 Password 228630

Valerie Robinson (Val) O.B.E

On the 13th February 2022, peacefully at home with her loving sister by her side, Valerie aged 80 years.

She leaves her beloved sister Carole who has been constant companion and best friend living with her for the past year. Nephews Andrew and Kevin, great niece and nephew Iona and Jay, great great niece and nephew Esmie and Lyle as well as special friends Lil and Ginny and many friends nationwide.
Val was born in Accrington in 1941 to parents Bill and Doris Walsh, she attended H.S and Chelsea College of Physical Education.

Val’s first teaching post was at Ellesmere Port G.G.S where she met and married Gwyn, her rock and best friend for 55 years.

Val represented  England for 21 years including 19 Wembley appearances and 5 World Cups in Germany, N.Z., Edinburgh, Vancouver and Kuala Lumpur.

She represented the first Gt. Britain in the squad formed for women’s first official qualification for entry into the Moscow Olympics. Although they qualified, hockey decided to boycott over Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan. Officialdom also meant G.B  missed out on the Los Angeles Olympics four years later.
Competed and won the U.K. Women’s Superstars in 1978 and 1980.


Val loved all sports and outdoor activities and particularly enjoyed walking with Gwyn and their beautiful Dobermans Fritz and Ella.

In 1980 she and Gwyn gave up two responsible teaching posts in a venture to open a  the residential sports centre at Foxhill Bank House in Oswaldtwistle for schools and adult clubs. During the limited amount of leisure time, Val served as President of Oswaldtwistle Civic Society and was a member of the Propects Panel. She was proud of having helping with the build of a straw bale toilet , a footpath and bridges and the growing of trees from seed at Tinker  Brook Nursery.
Her love and enjoyment of playing hockey continued with Gt. Harwood and Blackburn until the age of 65! She also enjoyed running with Accrington Road Runners.

She was a member of Accrington Golf  Club and enjoyed that camaraderie of the ladies section, the mixed events with husband Gwyn, team events and regional and National competitions with her friend Lil.
Val will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving her.
Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Val are being gratefully received on behalf of Cancer Research UK via the donate button below.

Please feel free to leave a message for Val’s online memorial book by completing the form below.

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MESSAGES for the family of Valerie Robinson (Val) O.B.E

 

Rucky – Rukhsana Mahmood

Val was and will always be my inspiration. She inspired me to pursue regional hockey which I was selected for and the places I have travelled through hockey has made me many friends and allowed me to see many great things. All thanks to the north’s very own England hockey captain and inspiration. Always in my heart and mind. ????

 

Molly Copland (Pickup)

Please accept my condolences to the family of Valerie Robinson (Val) O.B.E: I have fond memories of playing hockey with Val in the Accrington High School team. She was a great inspiration to all. Her talent and skill will always be remembered. Over the years I have followed Val’s sporting career with great interest. She will be sadly missed. Rest in Peace Val

 

Lynn Holmes(nee Watkin)

Played for 2 seasons with Val and she was not only a brilliant player she was a really lovely person. Encouraged and helped me so much. A true one off. Thank you x

 

Joan, Ruth Taylor and family south wales

Val was an inspiration to us all. She has achieved so much in her lifetime and we will miss her unconditionally. From the first time I met Val, who was married to my favourite cousin Gwyn, we instantly loved her. Watching her career flourish and getting the OBE, we were all filled with pride. We used to look forward to their visits in south wales and ours up to see them both. We took our grandson Gareth up to stay in fox hill, he didn’t want to leave. She played football with my granddaughter Paige whenever she would visit. They loved her very much. When Ruth was growing up she used to love to tell her friends about her cousin Valerie Robinson, world champion hockey player and recipient of the OBE. She was so proud of Val. May you rest in peace Val. Knowing you’re back with our Gwyn, the love of you life gives us some comfort. God bless you val, you were a legend who we will never forget. Thank you for being you.

 

Mr and Mrs Gary and Lorraine Butterworth

Please accept our sincere condolences in memory of a life lived to the full.

 

Sarah Addicott

I was saddened to hear of the loss of Val, a wonderful lady who had such great input and belief in me and created the hockey player I became. From my visits to Foxhill Bank with school, a Blackburn and Lancashire county goalkeeper, to becoming a team mate, it was a true pleasure to play alongside her on the pitch. Her sense of humour, humility and passion for a sport she loved so much was infectious and I will always be grateful for her time and dedication to my own development. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Carole and family at this challenging time, may your wonderful memories of Val sustain you during this period of sadness.