December 30, 1975 – October 9, 2020
Surrounded by love, with her sister and close friends by her side, Val slipped away peacefully at home on the morning of October 9, 2020, after a nearly 14 year journey with brain cancer. Born in Victoria, B.C., Val was a loving daughter and sister, a cherished auntie and a devoted friend. She is predeceased by her parents Jill (November 26, 2010) and David (September 28, 2012), and will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her sister Sara (Shane), niece Ava, and nephew Zach, aunts Heather (David), Heidi (Peter), and uncles Trent (Rosemary), Kevin (Jayne), Blair, and Hugh (Barbara), and many cousins and close friends, and especially by her precious fur-babies Lola and Sam.
Val graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Education degree in 2005, and the following year embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, teaching English in Fukui, Japan. In December of 2006, while still in Japan, she received her devastating diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. Given 18 months to live, she embraced life to the fullest, defying the odds time and time again. She became a dedicated volunteer with the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre, where she developed a particular fondness toward racoons. And she found the amazing Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) family where she connected with some of the bravest, strongest and most inspiring people who were facing their own journeys with cancer. Through YACC she attended numerous conferences and retreats, and found some of her deepest friendships, that supported her through her toughest times along the way.
The family would like to thank Val’s oncology team, Dr. Alexander and Dr. McGhie, her surgeons, Dr. Toyota and Dr. Fleetwood, and family physician Dr. Putland, for all of their support over the years, and the Community Health Nurses and Home Support workers, and the Palliative Response Team who supported all of us in Val’s final days.
There will be no service, however, there will be a celebration of Val’s life in the spring. In lieu of flowers, Val would have loved for donations to be made to Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) in her memory.
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Darlene Calnan
Val ,you give us hope & beat the odds for and extra 14 years. I enjoyed our time together at Cheryl’s place with Jayna & family, your beautiful Lola & Sam will miss you. To your family she is at peace & sending our condolences & healing prayers to you All 💔😥
Marc Fortais
Val you were as strong as they come. A true friend who always made the time to come and see me when i dropped in at Scott and Karens on short notice. I thoroughly enjoyed your company and our brotherly, sisterly arguments and harassment of one another. Your sharp wit and charismatic character always made me laugh and know that if i dished it out i was getting it right back. We had some amazing times and i wish we still had more. For now its good bye my friend, you will be missed and remember I expect you to be waiting on the other side for me with that rye and ginger in hand and a joke or two at Scott’s expense. Love ya Marc!
Cheryl Johnson
I’m so sorry that the world has lost an amazing human being who gave such love to everyone around her. I know that Sara and her children will be insurmountably affected by her passing and I will hold them deep in my heart and prayers to give them strength.
May you rest in eternal peace Val.
Cheryl Gilmour
I am in shock and sadness after just finding out about this sad news. Val and I were in Education together for over 3 years at UVic. We spent alot of time together during those years. Her smile was infectious and you couldn’t help but smile with her. I was an older student so always watched out for my younger counterparts. I also had 4 head surgeries when I was younger so Val and I had many conversations after her diagnosis and the years following. She dealt with it with a fierce dignity and grace. It is heartbreaking but her suffering is over. Rest in peace dear Val. You will always be remembered. Love Cheryl xo
Gordon Hayward
My deepest sympathies to your family and friends. It was a real honor to have known your during your time in Fukui.
Nicole McDonough
Val, I hardly saw you in the last 5 years but I thought of you often…you were one strong bad ass bitch and every day for 14 years you fought the courageous fight, now you can be at peace and watch over everyone and JUDGE US…lol I love you!!
Natalia and Elizabeth
Today we sit in your honour sharing our favourite Krauellery stories. You will be remembered for your amazing laugh, the best pizza dough I’ve ever had, your crazy driving, your New York Fries days and going together to meet/pick Sam. Miss you already our friend. Goodbye to the strongest warrior we’ve met.
Cheryl Toupin
Val and her puppies are already deeply missed in her neighbourhood. I will forever miss our coffee talk mornings in the front garden. Thank you for sharing your time with us. We’ll miss your help in th garden, th doggy do’s in th yard, and your warm and happy smile. Rest in peace dear friend. Hugs Sara and family. Cheryl
Jayna Bateman
I will miss you my dear Val. You are in my heart whenever I think of our garden. The three of us created a really beautiful front yard. Rest in peace.
Roberta Campbell
Val – I met you in a post cancer treatment group. We were there to learn what our new normal looked like. You were the youngest by far. But that didn’t stop you from reaching across the years to each of us, showing your intention to have a future. Each recurrence prompted one of your Facebook posts that you were fighting back. F*ck cancer for everyone but especially young people.
Linda Allen
Val was my business partner, Sara’s, sister. I got to know Val when she helped us out in our office several years ago. Sara kept me updated about Val’s courageous battle. Val is often in my thoughts as are Sara and her family. Sleep peacefully Val.
David Rogers
I was with Val the day she got her diagnosis in Japan as I lived one floor up. We stayed up all night because she couldn’t sleep. I was a terrible cook but I remember we made braised sesame carrots and sat there all evening talking nonsense until she could speak to her parents. I didn’t know her very well but always saw what a life she was living through social media, and often remembered her. Best wishes