Valerie Joan Sewell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Valerie Sewell on April 5, 2022.

Artist, wife, mother, nana, and friend.

On this spring day, as the sun came out and the flowers bloomed, her favorite song played as her four children and husband sat by her side as she passed.

Val is survived by her husband Peter, daughter Karen (Glenn), sons Brett (Kathy), Adam (Melanie), and Paul (Cheri-Leigh), and ten grandsons. Born in London England, she moved to New Zealand in early childhood. She met her partner for life, Peter, and married on December 26th, 1964. Val and Peter moved to Vancouver from New Zealand in 1970 to begin a new adventure.

Sailing trips, camping, and holidays abroad filled their family life. Val was a teacher in her early days, turning to full-time artistry later on. She could be found walking with her dog on the beaches of Kitsilano, Jericho, and Maple Beach in Point Roberts. She would smile as she watched her grandsons on the soccer field every Saturday. Val expressed her creative self through her art. She painted vividly and prolifically in the 1990s, becoming a well-known Vancouver legend. Granville Island, flowers, umbrellas, and sailboats were her signature subjects in both acrylics and watercolours.

She loved her family fiercely, spending many happy times in Point Roberts on the sandbars, Easter egg hunting in her award-winning garden, and gathering with family and friends at her cabin. As Val’s battle with Alzheimer’s continued, she moved to Louis Brier where she was surrounded with compassionate care and she became a favorite amongst both the residents and staff.

In her own words, “My life was a clean canvas on which I painted with as much colour and joy as I could.” Val is free from the burden of Alzheimer’s so she may paint and walk through her gardens to her heart's content.

“A Final Spring”

Valerie Joan Sewell

An Open House to Celebrate the Life and Art of Val Sewell

June 5, 2022, 12 – 2:30 pm

VanDusen Gardens Floral Hall

5251 Oak Street Vancouver

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.vancouvercrematorium.com for the Sewell family.