My name is Valerie Marie (Dorey) DeCoste and I am writing my own obituary. I have lost my courageous battle with cancer on December 24, 2005, in QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, with my family by my side. I am leaving behind my loving husband of 30 years, Raphael, and my beloved children, Patrick and Amanda, of Port Hawkesbury; as well my dear brother Brian, his wife Jane, and children Keegan and Adam; my darling sister, Verla, her husband Sander, and children Blake and Kalene; my sisters, Rosie and partner Michael; Carolyn and husband Paul; Louise and husband Calvin; Andrew's children, Roderick and Alicia; also my godchildren, Junior DeCoste, Keegan Dorey, Darren DeCoste, and Kalene Cogswell. I was predeceased by my brothers, David and Andrew; my mother, Mary Jane (Hill) MacNeil; my stepfather, Roderick Daniel MacNeil; as well as my cherished pet, Copper. I was employed as a Student Program Assistant (SPA) with the Strait Regional School Board working at Tamarac Education Centre. I was a member of St. Joseph's Parish, Port Hawkesbury. I would like to thank my family doctor, Dr. Steve Gallant; the staff of St. Martha's Regional Hospital, especially Dr. Scott Rappard, Kay Marie Chisholm, Eileen and Terry and the staff of QEII Health Sciences Centre; my friends from Tamarac Education Centre with whom I never lost touch, especially Doreen, Freda, Docile and Laurette. I would also like to thank my sister-in-law, Millie DeCoste, who always made time for me. As per my wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday, December 29, in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, Father Bill Crispo officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations in my memory may be made to Lung Cancer Research or the Port Hawkesbury Food Bank. Words of comfort may be forwarded to my family at: www.haverstocks.com