Valerie Elizabeth Bellamy

Valerie Elizabeth Bellamy was a cherished wife, stepmother, sister, aunt and friend who left this world peacefully the morning of December 18, 2024, at the age of 53. She faced the end of her life with strength and grace, surrounded by those who loved her deeply.

Valerie was born in Ottawa, Ontario, to her loving parents, Gene and Carol, and grew up alongside her beloved big brother, Kirk. She spent her first eleven years in Ottawa before her family moved to Prince Edward Island. As a talented singer and dancer, Valerie developed an appreciation for the arts at a young age. She also discovered a passion for reading, which she often credited to her lifelong best friend, Patti Larsen.

Her path later brought her to Nova Scotia, where she would meet her soulmate and husband, Robin Maginley, and become a devoted stepmother to Suzanne. Valerie eventually made Halifax her home, where she deepened her love for the Celtic harp, encouraged by her mother. She was incredibly proud of her work as a graphic designer at TC Transcontinental Printing, and was grateful to be surrounded by a supportive group of coworkers. In addition to her work at TC, Valerie was able to exercise her creativity as a freelance graphic designer and project manager, specializing in book layouts and cover designs for authors and small presses. She enjoyed bringing her clients’ visions to life and crafting designs that reflected each individual story.

For Valerie, travel was not just an activity, but a way of experiencing life, and she loved to soak in the little details of every place she visited. Each new journey inspired her artistic eye, deepening her love for photography and bringing her joy as she shared the world through her lens. She also delighted in capturing the beauty of everyday moments with her camera, from her home cooking adventures to local walks around the Northwest Arm in Halifax. A true lover of fine food and wine, she embraced every opportunity to discover new culinary delights, whether close to home or while traveling abroad.

Valerie’s deep and abiding love for her husband, Rob, was the cornerstone of her life. Together for over 27 years, Rob and Valerie built a life filled with laughter, love, and unwavering devotion. They complemented each other in ways that made them stronger together. Always planning their next travel adventure, Valerie cherished the many experiences they shared, particularly the times spent on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. She was the expert navigator while Rob did the driving, and they enjoyed sampling local food, meeting new people, and soaking in the island’s natural beauty. As avid cyclists, they particularly enjoyed training together for the annual BMO Ride for Cancer. Despite the challenges of her own cancer diagnosis, Valerie’s determination never wavered; she poured her heart and strength into fundraising and completing her last ride this past September, with Rob by her side every step of the way.

Strong-willed, empathetic, loving, and loyal, Valerie touched the hearts of those who knew her. Being an aunt was a role she took great pride in, and she treasured her relationships with Kerry, Skyla, Jillian (Mark), Jessica (Cole), Nicole, Derek, Ryan, Megan, and Emma. She was overjoyed when she recently became a great-aunt to Drew and her namesake, Valerie. In addition to being an adoring younger sister to Kirk (Treena), she was also a devoted sister-in-law to Rachel, David (Erica), Christopher, and Amanda.

Throughout her journey with stomach cancer, Valerie’s resilience and courage in embracing life’s lessons was an inspiration to those around her. Even through the most difficult times, she showed an unwavering care for others, always prioritizing their well-being above her own. This selflessness was a true reflection of Valerie’s character, unsurprising to those who knew her best. She approached life with warmth and gratitude, and faced its end with admirable strength and grace.

Valerie and her family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many medical professionals who offered their expertise and care, especially Drs. Carman Giacomantonio, Janice MacGregor, and Stephanie Snow. A special thank you goes to the staff and volunteers at Hospice Halifax, whose compassionate care allowed Valerie to comfortably enjoy her final weeks surrounded by her family and friends. The exceptional dedication and support of the hospice team gave her loved ones the opportunity to focus on what mattered most—spending time together and making lasting memories.

A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 28 at JA Snow Funeral Home, Halifax. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Hospice Halifax (https://hospicehalifax.ca/ways-to-give/donate/) or the Canadian Gastric Cancer Association (https://gastriccancer.ca/donate/).