On December 27, 2024, our dear Mum, Valerie Amy Laura, of Brandon, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at the age of 83. Valerie was born on May 2, 1941, in Minnedosa, Manitoba. She was the second daughter of George Bertram and Adele Amy Kathleen (Morgan) Hulbert. Her sister, Sylvia, was sixteen months older, and her brother, Harold, was five years younger. Valerie grew up on the family farm that she loved dearly near Bethany, Manitoba. She inherited a love of gardening from her Granny, Amy Hulbert, which she pursued on the family farm and then later in her own home as an adult. Valerie attended school at Bethany, taking her final year of high school at Hamiota, Manitoba, where she stayed with her Auntie Win, Uncle Nelson, and cousins, Ann and Lois Kreager.

In 1959, she was married to Keith Howard from Rapid City, Manitoba, until they ended the marriage in 1974. Together, they had four daughters in whom Valerie took much pride and joy. Family meant everything to her. Valerie was a beautiful, gentle, and caring person who loved Jesus with all of her heart. She always went out of her way to help others whenever she could. She showed by example the importance of respecting everyone, never holding a grudge, and always forgiving others quickly. Valerie was a wonderful seamstress and sewed many clothes for her children including Halloween costumes. She also loved to knit and made each of her daughters beautiful sweaters that they wore proudly. In her later years, she took a "stained glass making" class so she could make small replicas of the Hulbert farmhouse stained glass windows. She created many of these replicas and gifted them to numerous family members – a gift that will be treasured for generations to come. Valerie was also a talented writer. Over the years, she wrote a beautiful collection of over 400 poems. In 2001, Valerie married her good friend, Lionel Glaser, and they spent 9 ½ wonderful years together until his passing in 2011. After Lionel's passing, she put all of her energy into writing a family history book titled, "The Revelations of the Rubber Sheep" – a beautiful and lasting legacy for her family.

Valerie worked at the Anglican Synod Office for the Diocese of Brandon for thirty-one years serving under three Bishops until her retirement in 2006. She was a dedicated and active member of St. Matthew's Cathedral and choir for 40 years. Throughout the years, she travelled to Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC many times to visit her grown daughters and their families as well as several friends and relatives. In 1998, she travelled to Michigan with her daughter, Alison, to visit family. Then, in 2012, she travelled to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland with her daughter, Elaine, to visit her family's ancestral home, particularly Bath and Netherhampton from which both sides of her family emigrated. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that she cherished deeply. One of her last trips was in 2014 when she travelled with her cousins, Marg, Ross, and Grace, to the East Coast where she had a wonderful time.

Valerie was predeceased by her father, Bert Hulbert (1980); mother, Adele Hulbert (1997); beloved friend, Gary Hudson (1988); brother, Harold (2007); sister, Sylvia (2009); beloved husband, Lionel (2011); and niece, Lisa Hulbert (2020).

Left to mourn are her four daughters and their spouses - Wendy Martin, Elaine (Tony) Gonzales, Angela (Dwain) Deal, and Alison Howard.

Valerie was a wonderful Grandma who loved all of her grandchildren very much and will be greatly missed by her eleven grandchildren - Elizabeth Martin, David Martin, Jessica (Scott) Gonzales-Thompson, Alexander (Criselda) Gonzales, Morgan (Ana) Gonzales, Jeffrey Deal, Andrew Deal, Colette Deal, Rebecca (Michael) Lum, Megan (Dominic) Plante, and Paul Deal, as well as her eight great grandchildren - Benji and Mabel Gonzales-Thompson, Carlos and Rafael Vizcarra, Jeremiah and Abigail Valerie Lum, and Isabelle and Rose Plante. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Karen Hulbert; nephew Kevin (Christine) Hulbert and two great-nephews, Benjamin and Charlie Hulbert. She will also be missed by her dear friend, Rosy Gonzales, her lifelong friend, Marjorie Adams, and her caring friend, Shirley Fishbook, as well as many much-loved cousins and friends from across Canada and the United States.

We wish to thank our Mum's cousin, Lois, for faithfully visiting with her until the end. She has always held a special place in Mum's heart. We would also like to extend a very special thanks to Christina at Hillcrest Place who supported our Mum over the past four years with her kindness, and who also helped us to stay connected to her through weekly video calls during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thank you also to all of the nurses and care-aids at Hillcrest Place who cared for Mum daily and to Mum's friends at Hillcrest who made her time there more enjoyable. Your kindness and your care of Mum will always be remembered and appreciated. And, finally, our sincerest heartfelt thanks to John Szabo, Administrator at Hillcrest Place. You have made a happy, friendly environment for the residents, and we are grateful for the kindness you showed our Mum.

A Celebration of Valerie's life will take place at St. Matthew's Anglican Cathedral, 403 13th Street, Brandon, MB on Friday June 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Our Mum possessed a quiet strength throughout her life and will be deeply missed by us all. We love you with all of our hearts, Mum, and one day we will be together again.

For those who wish to, donations may be made in Valerie's name to The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF – The Anglican Church of Canada) in lieu of flowers.