Valerie Elizabeth Wyatt

In the loving care of her husband and children, Val passed away peacefully at home.

Val faced her devastating diagnosis of multiple systems atrophy the way she did everything, with grace, dignity and a quiet determination to make the best of every possible moment. Despite everything going so wrong, she was always a joy to be with, a joy to care for and a loving, calm presence in everyone’s life who was near to her.

Val leaves her dear husband, Paul Grant, of nearly 30 years, their children Colin Grant (Natalie Savoia) and Jocelyn Grant whom she so loved and adored. Val’s departure will also be deeply felt by her mother: Sandra Wyatt (father: Bryan Wyatt predeceased), sisters and her brothers-in-law: Christine Smith (Dale) and Jill Coolman (Jason), mother-in-law Betty Grant, sister-in-law Barbara Grant (Alan Dicknoether), and the nieces and nephews she loved dearly: Couper, Mitchell, Danica, Sydney, Brock, Quinn and William.

Family was at the very heart of Val’s life. Some of our most treasured memories were made together — gathered around Sunday dinners, celebrating birthdays and milestones, cheering each other on at countless sporting events, and sharing laughter during family vacations at Evergreen Resort, Wildwood Lodge, and many winter getaways. Val helped create the close-knit family bond we cherish so deeply, and her love, presence, and devotion to family will continue to be felt in every gathering and every memory shared together

Val also really, really liked birds and birdwatching. A common thread, personally and professionally, throughout her life was related to birds, their protection as well as gently promoting the joy of birds and nature in general.

After attaining her M.Sc. from the University of Guelph in geography, Val worked as an independent consultant on a wide range of bird related projects. Val was also employed at Stantec for 12 years. When she found her career would not allow for balance with family life, Val left that behind to focus on her family as well as taking over management of the family-owned business Wild Birds Unlimited in Guelph. Once her condition made it too difficult to handle that aspect, WBU was sold to her assistant manager and friend Sarah, and Val helped bring the other family business, Vortex Canada, up to a much higher level then retired when her condition no longer permitted her to work.

Paul and Val are very grateful to the staff at Vortex Canada who not only kept the business running while they were largely absent the past couple of years, but took it to new heights.

The family is grateful to the palliative health team at Bayshore, the many doctors who helped along the journey and specifically to Dr. Brodovsky for the exceptional palliative care and particularly to Anna Kingma for helping make it possible to care for Val at home in the final couple of years.

Val was always a calming, rational and dependable anchor in everyone’s lives who knew her, although her presence will be greatly missed, her influence will remain.

If you wish, donations may be made in honour of Val to two of her favorite charities: International Conservation Fund of Canada or Doctors Without Borders.

Visitation: Sunday, May 31 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm and Monday, June 1 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, 1099 Gordon St. Guelph

Celebration of Life: Saturday, June 13, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Puslinch Community Centre, 23 Brock Road S. Puslinch.