NEWTH, Valerie June Newth

She was born in Feilding, New Zealand on the 21st of November 1946. As a youngster, with her older sister Bev, she loved the Marching Team and Swim Club.  Val travelled 20kms by bus to Palmerston North to attend high school where (in the words of her friend Adele), “Val was the brightest girl in our high school classes, and the most talented swimmer and diver. Everyone wanted to be her best friend”.  At high school, she met Mel, and one night in the privacy of her bedroom committed her life to Jesus Christ as her Saviour and Lord.  Val captained the netball team, was a champion swimmer and diver, and in her last year was top of the class and named the region’s Chamber of Commerce Scholar.

Val then left home at age 16 and went to Wellington and began her secretarial career.  After about a year, at the age of 17, she moved to Australia, where she lived and worked in each state.  Her Aussie adventures included crossing the Nullarbor Plains from Adelaide to Perth by car, taking the Ghan railway from Adelaide to Alice Springs, then to Brisbane by mail truck and then working at a children’s home for abandoned children run by Anglican Nuns.

Val moved back to New Zealand to be a bridesmaid at her sister Bev’s wedding, where Mel was the best man to the groom, Snow Pratt.  Val and Mel’s relationship was rekindled then and soon after they got engaged.  Val worked as private secretary to the regional director of the national party, who at the time were the government, and she often took minutes of strategy meetings attended by the prime minister and senior cabinet members.  She also did some fashion modelling.

Val married Mel in Feilding on the 18th March 1967.  A few weeks before the wedding, Val was baptised at their home church Elizabeth Street Chapel in Wellington, giving a public declaration of her love for God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

On the 31st May 1968 they sailed by ocean liner to Acapulco, Mexico and travelled by bus and train through Mexico and the western USA to Vancouver, Canada where they lived for 7 years.  Val gave birth to Sarah in 1972, Karla in 1974 and was a full-time mum.  Mel & Val attended Granville Chapel in Vancouver, helped with Sunday school and made many lifelong friends.

The family moved back to New Zealand in January 1975, so the girls would have grandparents, cousins and close family.  Maryka was born in 1975 in Tauranga where they settled.  Val was president of the local Daycare Center and became an accredited marriage counsellor.  Val always loved sewing and knitting and, with the help of Canadian friend Bonny and her sister Bev, launched Snazz Fashions, which sold designer children’s clothes through house parties.  It was enormously successful, so much so that Val sold the concept and designs to a national clothing manufacturer.  In Tauranga, the family attended Otumoetai Baptist Church. Val helped with Sunday school, counselling, women’s programs, and made many lifelong friends.  She encouraged and supported the people and ministries of International Needs “helping Christians serve God in their own countries” for more than 50 years.

In 1986, the family moved back to Canada, eventually settling in Langley.  Val returned to full-time work, culminating in being the Administrator of a law firm.  The family attended Mountainview Alliance Church; then Willington Church, where Val started and co-led the “Inbetweener’s” group; and then North Langley Community Church, and at each church made lifelong friends.

In May 1998, Simon Fraser University awarded Val a Certificate in Liberal Arts and then in May 2005 [age 58] a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 2007, Val and Mel moved to Kelowna and have attended Kelowna Christian Fellowship Church, where Val co-led for over 10 years the senior’s program IMPACT, “because you are never too old to make an impact”, and co-led Lifegroups making many close friends.

Val continued her love of swimming with the Okanagan Masters Swimming Club where she made many friends; went with a group from OMSC to swim in the Barbados open ocean race; competed for 15 years in the Kelowna “across the lake” 2.1km race; most years competed in the Masters BC Provincial championships winning many medals; in 2012, when they were held in Kelowna, competed in the Masters National Championships and in her age group was national champion in 100 Back, 200 Back, 2nd in 1500 Free, 2nd in 400 Free, 3rd in 800 Free and 3rd in 200 Individual Medly.

In Kelowna, Val took up painting and joined the Mission Painters Art Club, where she served for over 10 years as secretary and made many dear friends.  The annual July art show was something she looked forward to and where she sold some of her paintings – usually featuring large flowers, animals, or landscapes ‘showcasing the handiwork of God’s creation’ as she was apt to say.  On the July first weekend of every year, Val & Mel hosted in their home special friends from Langley and then, on the September long weekend, special friends from Vancouver.  She cherished these times and these friends.

Val loved travel and adventure, and she rode a camel at the Pyramids in Egypt; walked across the top of the Sydney Harbour bridge; dived in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; did the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, with daughter Sarah and the 4-day Milford Sound hike in New Zealand, with daughter Maryka and brother-in-law Snow – including being rescued by helicopter; swam with dolphins in Cuba; crossed the Serengeti on Safari by Land Cruiser; swam and floated in the Dead Sea; rode a hot air balloon over Cappadocia in Turkey; climbed the Eiffel Tower; went deep sea fishing in Cabo San Lucas with Bev & Snow; walked the Great Wall of China; went jet boating on the Shotover River in New Zealand; crawled through a wire mesh tunnel suspended over space on the Jungfrau in Switzerland; swam with sharks in the Galapagos Islands; rode a horse bareback in Cancun, Mexico, to name a few.

Some typical messages Val received: I always admire your radiant spirit and kindness. Your strength, grace, and warmth inspire everyone around you. It shines through in everything you do and create; You always made me feel welcome and safe at the pool.  You are such a kind person and I appreciate every time you share your kindness with me; I know you are a very courageous soul with a deep faith, all of which must help sustain you. You are an inspiration to all who know you, I am sure. Both of you must be a huge source of courage and love in these times, especially to your adorable daughters; We are blessed to have been touched by your beautiful self and continue to be inspired by your example of a life well lived; Val is setting the standard for the rest of us for how to face crossing that river.  She is focused on the One who is waiting on the other side, yet indwelling her now with courage and peace.

Val’s daughters Sarah, Karla & Maryka, four grandchildren Camryn, Emerson, Kai & Asha and sons-in-law John, Greg & Mick – all her pride and joy – were with Val in recent weeks showering her with love that filled her heart with joy.  As did her sister Bev & brother-in-law Snow and sister-in-law Joy & brother-in-law Kevin, who came all the way from New Zealand to spend precious time with her.  Deut 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be not afraid; do not be discouraged” was the scripture verse that particularly encouraged and sustained Val.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honour of Val to Freedom’s Door Kelowna or International Needs Canada.

A Celebration of Life will be held for our beloved Valerie on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 3:00 pm (PST), at Kelowna Gospel Fellowship, 3714 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC.  If you are unable to attend in person, please join us online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view in 3-5 days.

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