We Remember

SMITH, Valerie Dawn
—
Valerie Dawn Smith, 68, passed away peacefully to spirit, and much too soon, at the Kelowna Hospice on January 12, 2020, after a courageous 10-year fight with multiple myeloma.
Val’s intelligence, sharp wit, sense of humour, “zaniness” and brutal honesty will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her sisters, Wendy Nember (Roberto), Vicki Hughes (John), Deborah Batten (Andrew) and her brother, Michael Smith. Valerie was predeceased by her mother, Thurza Smith (née Parker), her father, Douglas Smith, and brother-in-law, Andrew Batten.
For many years, Valerie was a fierce social activist. Her compassion, dedication and determination to help battle violence against women are detailed on her in-depth website,www.thefreeradical.ca, which continues to be used as reference materials for women’s study courses.
After fighting her cancer for 5 years, Val decided to move from Toronto to Kelowna, to be near the mountains and to hang with our sister Vicki. There will be a private family ceremony in Kelowna to sprinkle her ashes.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences.”
My sincere condolences to the Smith Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We were neighbours back in the 70’s and i have fond memories of you all. God bless, take care, Love Sherry♡
My condolences to everyone in the Smith family.
Val could make you laugh like no one else. She didn’t suffer fools well, either. She would have been a great stand up comedian or a political satirist. She saw the world in a different way after the l’ecole polytechnique massacre, and she worked hard to make it a better place for women. We spoke on the phone from time to time, but she never brought up her condition. So Wendy, Vickie, Deb and Mike, thank you all for keeping me in the loop. I’ll miss her.
So very sorry for the loss of your sister. Your grief must be as deep as your love for this great lady. Val loved getting a little zany at Halloween time (and of course other times). Always game to dress up and step out. Sending pics of those zany times and a few others. She left me very fond memories – especially when her and Mike would be get into some hilarious one liners. Take care – Wendy, Vicki, Deb and Mike. Love Sue
So sorry for the loss of your sister. Your grief must be as deep as your love for this great lady. Val loved getting a little zany at Halloween time. Always game to dress up and step out. Sending pics of those zany times. She left me with many fond memories of her and Mike (Scanlon) bantering hilarious one liners back and forth. What a pair. Take care Wendy, Vicki, Debbie and Mike. Love Sue C.
So very sorry for the loss of your sister. Your grief must be as deep as your love of this great lady. Val loved getting a little zany at Halloween time. Always games to dress up and step out. Sending pics of those crazy days (will try again – may have to send via e-mail). Val left fond memories of her and Mike (Scanlon) bantering hilarious one liners. Take care Wendy, Vicki, Deb and Mike. Love Sue
Sending pics one at a time.
I lived down the street from Valerie and her family on Gertrude Street in the 1960s. I greatly admired her intelligence, her sardonic wit, her utter fearlessness in saying what she thought and calling out nonsense and b.s. Vicki, Wendy, Deborah and Michael, please know that your sister made a big difference in the life of a timid girl who didn’t fit in, and Val’s acceptance of me inspired me to be strong and find my way. My condolences to all of you, and my prayers to Val as her spirit lands in a wonderful place free of suffering and full of sunshine . Bright Blessings.
I had the pleasure of being Valerie’s medical oncologist from 2012 until her passing. She was a remarkable woman, and one that I will not soon forget. Her positivity and resilience throughout her numerous treatments was inspiring. We shared many laughs together, which is remarkable given the nature of her visits with me. Her passing has hit me hard, but her legacy will live on.