Mrs. Valerie Comtois

Valerie’s parents met in England toward the end of World War II. Her father was a Canadian soldier based in the north of England, where he met an English clerk working for Canada’s treasury department. A romance quickly blossomed. Percy Douglas “PD” Weyman married Audrey Sarah Wood in 1945. They welcomed Daughter Valerie into the world on July 12, 1946.

PD and Audrey decided to settle their new family in Canada. Upon his return from Britain, Valerie’s father joined the Calgary Police Service. Valerie and her mother followed, setting sail on the hospital ship The Empire Brent on October 26, 1946. After arriving in Halifax, they traveled by train across the country. The family reunited in Calgary on November 7th.

Two more children, brothers Garry (1948) and Wayne (1950) made the family complete. Their favorite childhood pastimes included picnics at the Calgary Zoo and Riley Park and ice skating. Eventually, the family settled in Charleswood. Valerie attended Brandon Junior High School, then William Aberhart Senior High. Her creative flare led to becoming a hairstylist and she obtained her license in 1964. Later in life she went back to school and pursued a successful career in Human Resources, working for various companies in the city.

Valerie was the proud mother of three daughters: Michelle, Shauntelle and Denise. Countless mother-daughter hours were spent at the kitchen table pouring over magazines, while Valerie permed and styled their hair. She could be counted on to their attend sporting events, awards ceremonies and dance recitals.

In 1979, Valerie met Maurice Comtois. They were married on February 16, 1980. They remained in Calgary until the early 2000’s, later retiring in High River. Valerie was active in the community and enjoyed golfing and playing Mahjongg with her girlfriends. She was elated, one sunny afternoon, to sink a hole in one at Highwood Golf Course.

Over the course of her life, Valerie had many interests. A dog lover, she raised championship pugs but her most beloved companion was a mixed-breed dog named Radar. She enjoyed arts and crafts of all kinds and was an avid reader. She will be fondly remembered for her fried chicken and ambrosia salad, which were frequently requested for family dinners. On quiet mornings, she enjoyed watching families of deer wandering through her backyard. She loved being a grandmother and delighted in spending time with her grandsons Ethan and Jesse at kickboxing, soccer and lacrosse. She was their number one fan.

She travelled with her husband Maurice to many places but her favorite destination was the Hawaiian Islands, which she described as “heavenly”.

Valerie was predeceased by her parents, PD Weyman (1988), her mother Audrey (2010), brother Garry (2011) and brother Wayne (2013).

Her husband Maurice passed away on January 6, 2025.

She is survived by her daughters Michelle (Arthur), Shauntelle, Denise (Greg), stepson Michel and many grandchildren (and numerous granddogs).

The family would like to acknowledge with gratitude the doctors, nurses and staff of the South Campus Hospital for their exceptional care and professionalism during Valerie’s final hours, with special heartfelt thanks to nurse Janet in the ICU.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11:30 am at the Airdrie Cemetery, 33 Big Hill Way, Airdrie. Reception to follow at 1:00 pm at the Woodside Golf Course in Airdrie, 525 Woodside Drive NW, Airdrie.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be made directly to Heaven Can Wait Rescue Foundation in High River through their website at https://donate.heavencanwait.ca/. Tel: 403 601 2520, PO Box 6131 Station Main, High River, Alberta T1V 1P7.