September 19, 1930 – March 18, 2026 

Valerie Shackleton passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at the age of 95. 

Born on September 19, 1930, in Ystrad Mynach, a small town 25 miles out of Cardiff in the Welsh Valleys, to Elenor and William Davies. 

She was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband Dick Shackleton, and her sisters Barbara and Betty. 

She is survived by her sons John (Mary-Kate), David (Linda), her grandchildren Stephanie and Trevor and her great-grandchildren Kayde, Bristen and Axton. 

Also very special family friends the Nyeste Family; Isabel, Bernadette, Steven, Chad(Kassie), Bret (Stacy) and Bryn (Mitch) and all their children. 

Also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Val grew up in Wales where her parents ran a bar in Hengoed. She was an avid Tennis player and swimmer and had many stories of her time spent in Broad Haven and Little Haven on the coast. She met Dick while they were both working at an office in Newport. They married on January 4, 1955, and moved to Canada shortly after that where they began their family. They lived in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Prince George before finally settling in Merritt in 1968 when they bought The Grand Hotel and the Lariat Motel. They owned and worked at the Hotel until it was sold in 1982. 

Val had an integral part in helping Loretta Kampa start the Home Care program in Merritt many years ago. She had many dear friends in Merritt who met regularly for coffee at McDonalds until she was no longer able to get out on her own. She loved to laugh and had a wicked sense of humour. 

She will be missed! 

There will be no funeral service at Val’s request but a Celebration of Life will be planned. 

You may offer a message of condolence at Merritt Funeral Chapel for the Shackleton family.

• Date : 2026-03-18
• Location : Merritt