GOODERHAM, Valerie Jean Marie Gooderham

Passed away at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on Sunday October 19th, 2025 at the age of 72.
Val was loved deeply by Ernest Berry, her husband for 32 years, with whom she built her family. Following Ernie’s passing, she built a life with her husband of 21 years, Ermanno Mucignat. Valerie loved her children: Jennifer Williamson and her husband Christopher, Jacquelyne Beriault and her husband Kevin, Ryan Berry and his wife Rhea Sengupta, along with Ermanno’s children: Karen Hanes, Ian Mucignat, and his wife Melissa Karis. Valerie was cherished “Grammy” of Kaitlyne, Hayley, Lauryne, Allisyn, Alex, Hannah, Violet, Noah, Madeleine, Kieran, and Jayson. She is survived by her brother, Jeffery Gooderham, and his wife, Francine.
Val loved tradition and family and was happiest when she had her people gathered around her. She wanted her home to be a place of warmth and belonging. She loved crafting moments of celebration out of everyday life and sought ways to make little moments special with treats and gifts, creating traditions of togetherness and indulgence, with “Gingerbread Days” and trips to Enniskillen for absurdly large ice cream cones.
Val was in her element when travelling; she was an explorer, driving (and flying) all over North America, Europe, and the Caribbean, bringing home stories of adventure (and misadventure), souvenirs, and thousands of pictures. Val took great joy from her travels to see the beauty, culture and history of the world.
Val loved dance, and it played a fundamental role in her life; it was a way for her to nourish her loving relationship with her husband and dance-partner Ernie, to build community with the countless dancers they taught and partied with, and to share something she loved with her grandchildren. At home, her loyal cat, Meiko, was more than just her pet; she was her constant companion and her tiny, furry shadow.
Val’s life was an attempt to grab what was special out of every moment, and to share that joy with her family through togetherness, celebration, and shared traditions. She will be missed very much.

Visitation at Barnes Memorial Funeral Home, 5295 Thickson Rd N Whitby on Sunday November 2nd from 1:30 -2:30 pm
A service to celebrate Valerie’s life will follow in the chapel Sunday afternoon at 2:30. pm

Messages of condolence and shared memories can be left for the family by visiting barnesmemorialfuneralhome.com