Valery Stewart of Vancouver B.C Died peacefully on Monday, January 31, 2011 after a long battle with Ovarian Cancer. She was a Lady full of life, and she touched everyone in a special way whom she met. Growing up in Belfast in the troubled times was difficult but she was good at anything she did from school to work. When she met my dad and married she gave birth to a beautiful daughter Pauline who was the joy of her life. Then my brother was born, but passed at 6 months old. Mom was devastated, then I came along and at last she was happy to have us two kids... Always wanting the best for us in 1974 we immigrated to Canada to give us a better life. We lived in Calgary and I remember when we took our first holiday to B.C. that was it for her the mountains and the ocean is where her heart lay. Unsettled till we moved to B.C when here she was now settled to live her life. She worked long, long hours to give us the best of life, many vacations allowed us to explore B.C and she was happy to share that time with us. I remember when she first saw her apartment on Beach ave, that was the one she said I will do whatever I need to do to pay for the beauty of seeing the ocean and mountains at her door step. I have so many great memories of coming to Vancouver to visit and walking the seawall and suntanning on the beach with her. Mom always put everyone else before her self. When it came to her faith, there was nothing that would step in the way, even the cancer.... She was a faithful servant and always honoured God in everything she did... I remember when she was told she had cancer, she looked at the bright side of it rather than allow it to destroy her, a dear friend Carol and her went to Las Vegas and lived it up !!!!!! I moved to Vancouver from Alberta to walk this journey with her and it saddens me that the cancer took her from us all, but the memories and special bond that was built in those 4 years will never be forgotten or taken away from me.... I will miss her dearly, but always hold her close to my heart.
Please feel free to share with my family and friends how Val's crossing in your life has touched you...
Thank You to Dr Pike, Dr Swenerton, Dr Mc Gregor and Dr Barret. Special Thanks to St James Cottage Hospice Staff for their loving care. Memorial Service February 9, 2011, at 1:30 pm at Broadway Church 2700 E Broadway, Vancouver.
May God Bless you and comfort you through this difficult time.
Steve Stewart