In Celebration of

Valerie Fleuré Shepherd (nee Jarvis)

April 24, 1934 -  June 17, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Valerie passed away at the age of 90, at her home in the Village of Erin Meadows in Mississauga on June 17th, 2024. Valerie was born in Toronto, Ontario to Clarence and Fleuré (Branciere) Jarvis. Valerie resided in Etobicoke almost all her life, attending Lambton-Kingsway JMS and Etobicoke Collegiate before entering the nursing profession at Wellesley Hospital. She graduated with the Class of 1956 and became a registered nurse the same year. She kept in close contact with her nursing classmates, attending many reunions throughout her lifetime.

Valerie married George in the Trinity College Chapel in 1963. They joined the parish of St. George’s on-the-Hill in 1964, where Valerie served as a youth counsellor and as a Director and President of the St. George’s Nursery School.

Valerie had a love of reading, crafts, and cooking. She and George enjoyed many trips to the Caribbean, England and Portugal as well as many years of cottage rentals in Muskoka. She will be most remembered for her various artistic talents. There wasn’t a craft that she didn’t try and excel at, from sewing to knitting to building dollhouses and miniatures. She loved to share her talents and was thrilled to see her daughters and granddaughters carry on her love of creating beautiful things. Her many handicrafts will be lovingly treasured by family and friends.

In recent years Valerie has struggled with increasingly poor mobility and health which constrained her from the activities she so enjoyed. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff who took special care of her at Erin Meadows.

She will be forever loved and deeply missed by many, but most of all by her loving and devoted husband of 60 years, George, her daughters Anne Heath (Andy) and Carol, and her beloved twin granddaughters Sarah and Katie Heath.

The funeral will be held at St. George’s on the Hill, 4600 Dundas Street West, Etobicoke on Monday June 24th, 2024 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Arthritis Society of Canada.

Guestbook 

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Marlene Hutzul Reesor (Parishionner of StGeorge's on the Hill)

Entered June 19, 2024 from Etobicoke

My deepest condolences to the family.
Valerie, Mary Baillie and Gwen had done many needle pieces for the church.
I try to follow their needle work excellence.
I will ensure Valerie's name will be entered into the Book of Remembrance.
Marlene Hutzul Reesor

Don and Paul Harlock (Fellow St. George's Parishioner)

Entered June 19, 2024 from Etobicoke

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Valerie. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Don and Paul Harlock

Jane Linley (Trinity College and St. George's on-the-Hill)

Entered June 19, 2024 from Wasaga Beach

George,
I am so saddened by Valerie's death. After knowing you for many years, it was my privilege and pleasure to meet Valerie when I began working at St. George's. My thoughts and prayers are with Valerie and you and your girls.
Sincerely,
Jane Linley

Larry Kerslake (Colleague of George at Trinity College)

Entered June 24, 2024

Dear George, my sincere condolences to you and your family. What a wonderful long union you and Valerie had.
Larry Kerslake

Judy Maddren (Friend)

Entered June 29, 2024 from Stratford

I am sorry to hear the news about Valerie. I think of her every summer when I pull out her Bean Salad recipe. It is in her handwriting. My husband Tim Elliott was the curate at St. George's-on-the-Hill from 1978 to 1980 and Valerie was always very kind to me, a newbie clergy-wife. I would be very happy to share a photo of the recipe ... much stained, I do admit!