Obituary of Valerie Jean Porter

August 13, 1950 – Flin Flon, Manitoba

February 14, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Valerie Jean Porter (nee Bartley) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at the age of 73 years. She was born in Flin Flon, MB, on August 13, 1950.

Valerie graduated from Olds Senior High School and went on to pursue a career as a dance instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She taught dance in Regina, SK, and Calgary, AB. She then signed up for a keypunch operators’ course in Edmonton, which launched her extensive career as a Negotiating Landman with Gulf Canada and ConocoPhillips until she retired.

Valerie loved the theater, music, and dance. She was involved with productions in live theater with Gulf, which supported the United Way. She was very proud of these productions.

She enjoyed and loved golf, gardening, and vacationing with friends and family. She was a true connoisseur of wine.

One of her most memorable vacations was Val’s sailing trip to the Greek Islands and Greece, accompanied by Bev and Virginia. Any trip with Val was a memorable one. Val traveled to many countries during her retirement with her friends and she loved every minute.

One saying that Val used often was “I love it with everything in me”. She would also always sign off an email message with “love and light”.

In remembrance of a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories, we mourn the passing of our beloved Val. Val touched the hearts of all who knew her with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit. Val’s legacy will live on in the lives she has touched and the memories she has left behind. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all that had the privilege of knowing her.

Val is survived by her son Ryan Porter, and her three grandchildren, Ryley (Ivan), Alaura, and Evan, whom she loved with everything in her. She always supported their endeavors. Val is also survived by her three sisters, Bev (Roger), Heather (Gene), and Ginny (Virginia Dobbie); as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Val was predeceased by Ryan’s father, Gerald Porter.

Val’s journey will reunite her with her parents George and Dorothy, and her beloved brother Randy.

A Celebration of Val’s Life will be held in the summer of 2024, and details will be shared on Facebook for friends and family.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta, 111 West Campus Place N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 2R6 Telephone: (403) 240-3000, ext. 143, https://rmhcalberta.org/, or to the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, Suite 302, 609 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 2A1, www.kidscancercare.ab.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Val’s family here.

In living memory of Val Porter, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.