Valerie Jeanette Bricknell

Valerie joins her late husband and the love of her life for over 64 years, Douglas James Bricknell. Valerie was the treasured daughter of Maurice and Betty Pitman.

She was the devoted mother of Michele Sgro (the late Tony, and partner Santo) and Wayne Bricknell (Maria). She was affectionately known as “Meema” to her cherished grandchildren Tyler (Jenni), Spencer (Ally), Doug (Lauren), and Julia. Darling great-grandmother to Max and Sofia. Valerie was the dear sister to Wayne Pitman (Maureen).

Beloved Aunt to Susan, Nancy (Frank), and Craig and great aunt to their children. Valerie was fortunate to have many canine companions over the years that brought her great joy.

Valerie lived with a life of devotion to family and the steady pursuit of knowledge, rarely seen without a book by her side. Valerie exemplified the importance and demonstrated the value of keeping in touch.

Valerie was a very proud resident of “Southeast Oakville”. She was a devout Royalist, world traveler, news fanatic, member of the Oakville Club, and a lifelong patron of the arts. She enjoyed being a long-time member of the Royal Ontario Museum and The Art Gallery of Ontario.

However, perhaps the book that brought her the most joy was the one that she authored herself, profiling her family genealogy. A passion of hers for over 60 years, she compiled almost two centuries of photos, hundreds of years of records and news clippings, as well as other information that Valerie gladly tracked down herself at places such as the Glenbow museum in Calgary, AB. Her “magnum opus” was recently published to her great delight, preserving the family history in detail for generations to come.

She will be missed dearly and will live on in the stories, pictures, and many wonderful memories with those that knew and loved her.

Valerie left us some valuable parting advice in her book My Remarkable Grandmothers and Amazing Ancestors:

● This life is not a dress rehearsal and there are no “do overs”. Make the most of every day.

● Be kind and understanding of others. We do not know what they have been through.

● Forgive. It will unburden.

● Cherish your family - faults and all. Some people do not have a family. The older one gets,

the more one realizes how wonderful it is to have a loving, caring family.

● One day at a time. We cannot relive yesterday and we cannot live tomorrow until tomorrow.

● Think positive - glass half full.

● Choose to be happy. Count your blessings.

● Carpe diem!

● This too shall pass.

A private, family ceremony will be taking place with a celebration of life to follow at a date to be determined. Family and friends will be notified.

Special thanks to Dr Aldridge, Valerie’s family doctor in Oakville for over 40 years, her special support friend Nelly. Thank you to all the wonderful doctors and nurses at Guelph General Hospital, for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family has kindly requested that donations be made to the Oakville or Guelph Humane Societies memory of Valerie Bricknell.