Valerie Lilian Lois Brennan passed away after a lengthy illness on April 17, 2020 at the General Hospital in Ottawa. She was predeceased by her husband Martin in 2018 and brother Roger in 2019. She is survived by her sister Ann Moran, children Gillian (Larry), Michael (Sherri-Lynn), Paul (Sylvie) and Alison (Frederic) and grandchildren Amanda, Nicholas, Jean-Philippe, Emily, Andrew, Jason, Ian, Jeremy and Sarah.
Valerie was born in Bristol in 1935 to parents Cyril and Irene Harding. From an early age she enjoyed school and excelled in mathematics. After finishing school, she began working for an Aerospace Engineering company in Bristol while pursuing a university education in mathematics.
She met Martin and they married in 1959. After the birth of their first child they left the UK on their first grand adventure together to Australia, where Martin worked for a year before returning to England. In 1966, Martin accepted a job with the Canadian government and they moved with their three young children to Ottawa. Valerie remained in the home until all children were in school, at which time she enrolled in a Computer Science program at Algonquin College in Ottawa. At age 40, she began a twenty-year career as a computer programmer.
After retirement Valerie and Martin travelled extensively and enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Their scattered descendants would often gather at the family home where many fond memories were made. Valerie and Martin moved to the Rockcliffe retirement residence in 2017.
Although Valerie valued her independence and career, family was the most important part of her life. She was a caring and involved mother and grandmother, proud of her children and grandchildren. Even in her later years, when challenges arose with Martin’s health and her increasing dementia, she often spoke of being very lucky in life.
We would like to thank The Rockcliffe and the kind and caring Personal Support Workers who cared for our mother in her final months. Interment will occur at a date to be determined at the Beechwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Valerie was my co-worker at Bristol Aircraft company, we spent summers travelling in Europe together and had many great adventures on a shoestring budget. Valerie was a dear friend. I am sorry we lost touch for many years but were eventually joyfully re-united through
the internet. Her legacy is in her children and grandchildren.