GARANT, Valerie Rita Douglas Garant

With heavy hearts we share with you the passing of our amazing mum, Valerie Rita Douglas Bernadette Brady Cairns Garant – yes that was her full name! After a brief illness in her 87th year Valerie danced up to heaven to be with our dad, Ronald (passed September 9, 2024) Married 64 years – apart for just one – now together again forever…

She was a fun, witty and loving mum to Bruce (Cheryl), and Gayle and proud Nana to her grandchildren Mike (Kirsten), Brian (Nadia), and Emma. She adored them all and would tell everyone how proud she was. Her grandpup Lacey will miss the porch-swing snuggles and morning walks with her.

Born in Glasgow Scotland, Valerie grew up during the war alongside her little brother
Melvin who sadly passed at age 3. At 16, she was dragged kicking and screaming (her words) across the ocean to her new life in Canada and in true Val fashion she remained a proud British citizen for life – her form of protest – strong willed -absolutely!

An unstoppable and spirited woman, Val began dancing as a young girl and never stopped – from ballet to teaching dancercise, fitness, line dancing and more. Her fitness and line dance friends made over the years were cherished. In her younger years, she took a job at Maple Leaf Gardens selling cigarettes just so she could see Bolshoi Ballet from Russia – in a twist of fate, that’s where she met our Dad. (She always joked she got him “by default” after he drove her Protestant friend home – the one who wasn’t interested in Catholic Ron.)

Their 64 years together were filled with laughter, family, spirited (loud) debates and the chaos of a busy house. We will miss her millionaires shortbread, macaroni cheese casserole, her perfectly folded lily serviettes at family get togethers. We will miss her mischievous smile, her love of red wine, penny slots and ‘real’ casinos.

Valerie was an adventurer at heart traveling the world visiting more countries than we can count. She loved family road trips especially shopping trips to Erie PA or taking her grandsons to Atlantic City and Memphis!

A service of celebration will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St Boniface Catholic Church, 21 Markanna Drive, Scarborough. A reception and celebration of her amazing life will follow in the church hall. The venue is elevator accessible.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scarborough Health Network – Scarborough General.

We take comfort knowing that Mum is now with Dad – likely ballroom dancing, laughing but more likely arguing over the t.v. remote.