It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Valerie Sheppard on October 24, 2023, at the age of 85. She passed peacefully at home, as she wished, surrounded by family. A strong, independent, and determined woman she fought cancer to the very end.
Born in Moose Jaw to parents Gladys (Spring) and Harry Ireton, Val was the eldest of three sisters. After growing up in her hometown she left high school early to begin working as a telephone operator to contribute to the family. In 1958 she met and married Jim Sheppard. True to her frugal nature she saved for two years before fulfilling her dream of having a large family. And large it was, they went on to have eight children. Raising that many became her full-time occupation for many years. Her children were the focus of her life and she ensured that they never missed an opportunity. She was an avid chaperone and volunteer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, YMCA, hockey, ringette, baseball and gymnastics. You could always find her sewing dance and Halloween costumes until midnight, sitting in ice cold rinks, baking for fundraisers and there was always chauffeuring teams around in her yellow school bus van. Val was always involved.
Val will be remembered for never turning down a challenge. Four years of volunteering at the Providence Hospital inspired her, at fifty years of age, to return to school and complete a Nursing Diploma. She went on to work as a Surgical Nurse for the University of Texas before returning home to retire.
Her many accomplishments include being a past Honoured Royal Lady of the Royal Purple and a member of the Beta Sigma Phi 1, but what she will really be remembered for is her presence in her neighbourhood. She and her husband bought a plot of land, planned and built their dream home with little other help. Her yard flourished to include a football field sized vegetable garden and flowers worthy of a magazine cover. Passionately growing every plant from seed in her basement she became the fountain of knowledge on gardening, flowers, canning and produce; sharing that wisdom with all she knew. She was a loved and cared about member of her neighbourhood and will be missed by all.
She is predeceased by her parents Harry and Gladys Ireton, husband Jim, daughters Tracy and Cindy, granddaughter Brooke Mann, grandson Stewart Hardie and her sister Bonnie.
She is survived by her sister Shirley (Ireton) Gold of Regina; her children Monte Sheppard (Mona) of Kindersley; Ron “Skum” Sheppard (Sue Klotz) of Calgary, AB; Scott “Pube” Sheppard (Jacquie Moore) of Saskatoon; Tammy Sheppard (Marc Rochette) of Beaumont, AB; Lance “Nip” Sheppard (Charlotte Saunders) of Grande Prairie, AB; son-in-law Alistair Hardie (Cindy) of Calgary, AB; Jody Mann (Rich) of Creston, BC; and son-in-law Brian Laberge (Tracy) of Hinton, AB. Grandchildren Lance Sheppard (Cheryl), Brett Sheppard (Kaitlyn), Ty Sheppard, Paige Sheppard, Syd Klotz (Aaron), Jenna Klotz (Ashton), Jack Sheppard, Marina Hardie, Fiona Hardie, Sophie Hardie, Bree Mann, Kricket Mann, Kaylee Lebarge (Michael) and Renee Foster (Mitch). Great grandchildren Petra, Sloan, Ryleigh, Emilia, Brooklyn, Ayla, Piper, Birdie, Willow, Rome, Briggs, one more who is on the way as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to acknowledge the many people who made it possible for Mom to stay at home including the superior care she received from Palliative Home Care, Dr. Coleman, the amazing Care Aides and RNs, her friends and neighbours and the devotion of her Nephew Doug Sheppard and Granddaughter Bree Mann.
In accordance with Val’s wishes there will be no service. Her family will gather in private to remember her rich and full life. If you choose, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Canadian Cancer Society.
The family of Val Sheppard (1938-2023) would like to invite family and friends to an Open House
Thursday February 1st, 2024, between 2:00 and 5:00 pm at Val’s home
1133 Normandy Drive, Moose Jaw
As Val always had an open door we would be honoured if you would drop by and say hello, laugh, reminisce, or share a loving memory or two.