Valerie Martindale

Val, Wife, Mum, Nana, Great-Nana…Valerie Anne Martindale (nee Finch) passed away peacefully at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace BC on October 30, 2023, at the age of 80 years.

Born in Estevan, SK to Desmond and Iris Finch in 1943 while Desmond was teaching at the Air force base, Val went on to live in Taunton, England, as well as London, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Fort Frances in Ontario, before moving west to live in Chilliwack and (most recently) Terrace, BC. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Terry Finch.

Val married Jim Martindale on August 5, 1961—they celebrated their long marriage with large gatherings of friends for both their 40- and 50-year anniversaries. Though their 60-year anniversary was during Covid, they managed a cross-country road trip the next year to visit with many family and friends. Jim will miss his ally, biking partner, sounding board, and travel companion.

Mum was wonderfully devoted to her 5 children: Sheri Anderson (Ian), Nancy Hallman (Greg), Jodi Scott (Tom), Bruce Martindale (Bernie), and Wendy Cerilli (Joe). She was a loving Nana to Riley, Savannah, Max, Tyler, Ella, Veronica, Matteo, Shane, Megan, and JD. She became a great nana in 2022 to Lexie.

Our Mum was rarely idle. She was of course busy raising children but was also highly involved in community work with Girl Guides, Kinettes, and Lion’s Club. While raising her children, Val finished her degree in her late 40s to become a full-time English teacher at Fort Frances High School. She taught there for many years, impacting many lives and grading oh so many papers.

She led by example. There was never a job too large or too small that she would not tackle. Mum was a strong, determined, and fiercely independent woman. She was a skilled seamstress, cook, trivia, music, and games lover. She was well known to “whip up more” for last minute dinner guests invited by Dad or her children. Mum and Dad travelled extensively, even after her PSP/Parkinson’s diagnosis.  They visited 6 continents on trips with family, Lion’s Club, or cruises. There was always a next adventure planned before the current one ended.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in her honor to any charity associated with Parkinson’s Disease.