Valerie Anne Swannell

Valerie Anne Swannell passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, at Lions Gate Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a touch of mischief. Born on April 27, 1955, in Calgary, Alberta, to Robert and Dorothy Swannell, Val eventually made West Vancouver her home and became one of its proudest residents. She graduated from Sentinel High School and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of British Columbia, originally aspiring to become a veterinarian. But, in classic Val fashion, she took a sharp turn and decided that wrangling spreadsheets and executives was more exciting than wrangling cattle.

Her illustrious career included roles in banking, IBM, and Mobile Data International before she founded her own successful management consulting company. Val's brilliance in problem-solving and knack for generating creative insights won her the admiration of many clients in the tech world.

Val was twice married to the love of her life, Lyn Blanchard. Their first "why-not?" commitment ceremony on January 1, 2000, was followed by an official "let’s-make-this-legal" wedding on July 15, 2017, at their cherished cottage on Lake Superior near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. They liked to joke that after two weddings, they were extra sure they got it right.

Known for her statuesque beauty, athleticism, sharp wit, and infectious laugh, Val had a way of making everyone feel welcome, often with a joke or a clever comment that left people happier. She loved to travel, exploring the far corners of the world. If anyone ever doubted Val's sense of adventure, they clearly hadn’t seen her drive on mountain roads or try to bargain in a foreign market.

She is survived by her wife and partner-in-life, Lyn; her older brother, Geoff; her sisters- and brothers-in-law; and her many adored nieces and nephews. Val's greatest joy was her family, her friends, and her uncanny ability to turn strangers into both.

Family, friends, and those touched by Val's remarkable spirit are invited to a Celebration of Life in early 2025 at the Gleneagles Golf Clubhouse in West Vancouver. We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, and we’ll remember a truly extraordinary woman who could light up a room just by walking into it.

In lieu of flowers, please consider raising a toast to Val on a sunny patio somewhere – she’d want you to enjoy every moment, as she always did.