Valerie Gauthier

Valerie passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on May 27, 2026, in her adopted home city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Valerie was born on February 20, 1973, in Ft. McMurray but lived in Prince George and Drayton Valley throughout her childhood. She was very competitive, whether it was playing games at home with her older brothers or in organized teams like slow pitch. This early drive was instilled in her and transferred to every aspect of her life. She was a natural athlete, a beautiful dancer and a wonderful cook. Valerie received a secretarial certificate after high school, then decided she needed more of a challenge. She completed the dental assistant program at N.A.I.T. It was during this time at her first dental assisting job that she met the love of her life and future husband, Darren Hambleton. After a few years of dental assisting, she decided once again that she needed more of a challenge. She completed her Bachelor of Education degree with distinction at the University of Alberta and eventually started working at Collingwood School in Vancouver. It was here where she completed her Master’s degree in Special Education with straight A+ grades at the University of British Columbia. This was Val’s calling, she devoted herself to teaching the students who needed her the most, meeting every challenge with patience, humour, intelligence, and profound kindness. Her colleagues at Vancouver’s prestigious Collingwood School knew her as “Super G” She filled every room with warmth, laughter and love. She faced a 16-year battle with extraordinary courage, never surrendering her spirit or her determination. Valerie leaves behind the love of her life, her husband Darren Hambleton; Her parents John & Helen Gauthier of Drayton Valley; her brothers, Randy (Lori) of Sherwood Park; Wayne (Polly) of Lethbridge; niece Destiny Gauthier; nephews Michael, Stephen and Jonathan Gauthier; numerous beloved aunts, uncles and cousins; the entire Hambleton family all of whom loved Valerie dearly; and many, many close friends and colleagues stretching from her early school days in Alberta, to her first teaching posts in the UK, to her travels round the globe

She will be greatly missed, but we are grateful for the years, memories, laughter and love we shared with her! 

A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Valerie's memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Foundation