Obituary of Valendie Lathlin-Buck

Valendie Lathlin-Buck (Patney) was the youngest daughter of Peter and Margaret Buck and was born in June, 1951. Raised primarily in Cumberland House with her parents, she enjoyed a close relationship to all her siblings. It was through her special relationship with her siblings that she was introduced to Jesus and attributes her introduction to her loving sister Pastor Maria Fiddler. Valendie was considered the last matriarch of the Buck Clan whose original roots stem from the Birch River Settlement. An aspect of her upbringing that was taught to her was the concept of caring for others, which she demonstrated to many her entire life. On February 26, 1994, Valendie married Alan Bishoff in Saskatoon. Valendie was blessed with two daughters: Felicia Gay (McCallum) and Lindsay Lathlin-Buck. Valendie had eight grandchildren: Zoe, Osawask, Elijah, Marley, Ava, Harlow, Beau, and Nash. Valendie raised her granddaughter Ava Deirdre and doted on her. In the early eighties her late brother-in-law Roy Fosseneuve suggested and encouraged her to go into Social Work and she decided that she would. She graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Social Work and for many years worked in various capacities in many communities. She enjoyed her time as a social worker but always felt called to counsel the hurting and share the good news of Christ. A gifted teacher Valendie served at the Christian Fellowship Centre that was founded by the late Pastor Marcel and Maria Fiddler. Later she served as a teacher an elder at the church after the passing of her sister Maria. At home she had many projects on the go and was an avid fan of DIY projects. Her creativity and skill in crafts and arts inspired many of her friends, she blessed her youth group and church family with thoughtful gestures, gifts, food or just to check in. She knew implicitly how to serve others without any expectation, she just wanted people to be happy. Cancer was not something she wanted so she fought hard; it was painful both emotionally and physically, not just for her but those that surrounded her in love and care. But she shared during that time to her oldest daughter Felicia these words. “Life is simple, it’s waking up, seeing beauty in God’s creation. Life is not complicated, life is simple. Valendie saw beauty in her darkest moments and her faith never wavered, her peace never spent, and her love never diminished. She was always grateful for those that travelled to come and see her in Saskatoon or her family that would come and visit the last two months of her life. Her special friend and sister-in-law Madeline Buck did not leave her side and helped Valendie’s daughters care for her. Valendie loved her community and the community garden. Every day she enjoyed watching the birds that congregated outside her home or sitting outside having a cup of tea. Every year she waited for her hummingbirds, and they faithfully arrived at her window every summer. Valendie loved all her little critters especially her little marat Talah, and the elderly Sammy the cat. Other special mentions include auntie Louisa Buck, Colleen Strensrud, cousins Mabel Bignell, Winston McGillvary, Harriet Burns, Jimmy McGillvary, Andrea Sanderson, Margaret Buck and Barbara Morin who she treated as daughters; good friends Michelle Laliberte another adopted daughter, Bob and Doris McAuley her tea buddy who she loved making Bannock for knowing how Bob loved his raison bannock, Clifford and Lily Mckay-Carriere who had built up traditions of neighbourly sharing, Caroline Mackenzie and Darlene Fiddler her companions on many a road trip. Also, Lenna Rutherford and Chrissy Settee her little songbirds who came to sing for her, Crystal Wolfe a friend and prayer warrior, Marie Mackenzie a faithful friend, Georgina Deschambeault, Kim Laliberte, Wilma Mckay, Tracy Carleson, Julia Mckay, Wanda Yurach, Marina Gardipey, Linda Sanderson, Rita Tilley and many others too numerous to mention. She mentioned to her daughter how much she loved her friends, her portage neighbours and all her nieces. She said they made her laugh; they made her mad but how she loved them. She took special care to look after her loving nephews and was always concerned for their health and safety. She often mentioned her nephew Elmer Fosseneuve and appreciated when her nephew Aaron Fosseneauve would bless her with dinner. As a young woman she took great care of Valerie Jobb, Janet Sewap, the late Phyliss Bignell, Wilma Morin, Barbara Morin and Julie Morin as well as her nephews the late Edward Morin and Floyd Morin. Valendie leaves to mourn her husband, daughters, grand children, sister-in-law Madeline, nieces, nephews, church family, and many cherished friends. Valendie was predeceased by her parents: Peter and Margaret Buck, in-laws: Adam and Irene Bishoff; brothers: Donald, Pierre, Charles, sisters: Vina, Barbara, Joanne, Lucy, Rachel, Maria Jane, in-laws: Marcel Fiddler, Horace Morin, Roy Fosseneuve, nephews: Randy Buck, Brian Morin, Randy Morin, Edward Morin, Christopher Dorion, Peter James (PJ) Fosseneuve, Clyde McCallum, Gordon Buck, nieces: Rose Morin, Phyllis Bignell, Lorraine Chaboyer, Kristin Fiddler, Pearl Morin, Bernadette Fosseneuve, Belinda Morin, Joanne Fosseneuve, uncles: Charlie Lathlin, William Lathlin, cousins: Bella Ranville, Lucy Dumais, Joshua Lathlin, Alex Lathlin, Johnny Lathlin, Myra Buck, William Buck, Joshua Buck and Albert Buck.