Ellen Dorthy Valent

Ellen Dorthy Valent passed away peacefully January 23, 2019, age 94, in Canon City, Colorado. Ellen was born October 31, 1924 in Farr Colorado, a coal camp in Huerfano County. She was the oldest of five children born to James and Catherine (O'Neil) Gregory. She lived her childhood in Ojo, Colorado, helping the family to deal with the many adversities and challenges of the Great Depression. Despite all these hardships she was raised with the utmost love and care. While in her teens the family moved to Walsenburg. It was here where she met her future husband "Froggy". She married Michael "Froggy" Valent on October 14, 1943. Together Ellen and Michael created and managed the family business across Colorado and South East Utah called, "Froggy's Poor Boy". A drive in restaurant where, early on, you could get a hamburger and a beer for $.15. It started in Canon City followed by locations in Walsenburg, Durango, Cortez, and Moab, Utah. They retired in 1963 and settled in Canon City, Colorado. Here they enjoyed gardening, the great Colorado outdoors, and friends. Ellen was extremely involved with the St. Michael Catholic Church community. Participating in the prayer group, including their social activities. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, canning, and baking, taking her creations to the Fremont County Fair and winning many awards for them. In her later years Ellen enjoyed staying abreast of current events by reading the daily newspapers, and watching the news on T.V. always by her side were her two dogs, Amber and Goofy. She especially liked spending quality time with her granddaughter Valentina, family, and friends. She is survived by her son, Michael (Tanya) Valent of Canon City, Colorado; granddaughter, Valentina Valent; sister, Shirley Shoskey of Denver, Colorado; along with many nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents James and Catherine Gregory; husband, Michael "Froggy" Valent; brothers, William "Bill" Gregory, James Gregory; and sister, Frances "Sister" King. Vigil and Rosary service, 6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019. Memorial Mass, 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Reverend Jesse Perez as celebrant. Services have been entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home.

Service Details

Friday, February 8th, 2019 10:00am, St. Michael Catholic Church

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