"I believe that the love you have for people never shrinks."
Val will be remembered by her spirit her, laughter, humour and the way she made people feel.
Valerie attended Vanier College in Montreal, Ryerson University in Toronto, the University of Guelph, and was a candidate in the Educational Psychology Ph.D. programme at the City University of New York. She made immense contributions to her communities and to the development, growth, and well-being of others through her career and many diverse roles as an early childhood educator, advocacy program manager, child development specialist, tech strategist, doula, university lecturer, and academic.
After being diagnosed with stage 4 Gallladder cancer, Val started aggressive cancer treatment in May of 2021. However, in June 2023 her symptoms began to take a turn, and the doctors worked to see what else they could try. Val was not able to keep food down. She was admitted to the hospital on June 21st to try to use stents to support her digestive system to allow her to eat again, but unfortunately, the cancer has spread in such a way that they couldn't remedy it.
The doctors went through all kinds of options and procedures, but with all these factors, it was concluded that there were no longer any treatments safe or available to try to treat and hold off her cancer any longer. She went home to hospice care on Friday, July 14 and passed away Sunday, July 16th.
Val passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones in the calm and comfort of her home.
Val leaves her beloved husband and partner of nearly 18 years, Alex, and their cat Stella.
Even throughout the unfathomable pain, Val and Alex continued finding joy, beauty, and new meaning in their lives together. She wouldn’t want to be defined by this chapter. Still, her utter fearlessness in facing this horrific disease revealed toughness, love for life, and love for others that were special, rare, and remarkable. Her biggest regret was not being able to be there for her dear nieces as they grew older. Her life was defined by love for others, and she taught many people how to live better, richer, and more connected lives in her short time here. Her legacy is meaningful.
She had a unique and profound impact on the people she knew and the world around her. Even though her and Alex wanted children and had just started trying before her diagnosis, she still took these last few years to show up for the children of friends and family. That’s not easy; she did these things through unbelievable physical and mental struggle. She showed up and managed constant pain to attempt to live as fully as she could and continue supporting others. I don’t think people saw or realized how spectacular this all was. It’s a rare and beautiful commitment to others that we never imagined possible.
In Val’s last email to her friends and family, she writes:
My biggest hope is that I can still be part of your lives in little ways, that you take note of things that make you think of me, and stand up to things that aren’t right. I believe that the love you have for people never shrinks, and I have been so lucky to have a life so full of love.