JEAN MARGUERITE VALIANT

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JEAN MARGUERITE VALIANT August 28, 1926 - May 14, 2005 Jean Marguerite Valiant passed away on May 14, 2005 at the Riverview Health Centre after a courageous battle with cancer. Jean was born in Saskatoon, SK, the oldest of three children to Lavina and Ronald McGibbon. She graduated from Innisfail High School, Innisfail, AB in 1944. She then completed her training in Manitoba at the Portage La Prairie General Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1948. She won an award in Obstetrics in 1947, and was also awarded a scholarship to McGill University. Studying Education at McGill was a wonderful experience for her. After a year in Montreal she returned to Portage La Prairie. Portage was where she met her husband Arthur James Valiant. They were married in 1951. Arthur's work with the Canadian Bank of Commerce took the couple to Kincaid, SK, Canora, SK, and Holland, MB. They settled in Winnipeg in 1963. Their three sons were born in Saskatchewan. While living in Holland for six years Jean worked at the Treherne General Hospital. In Winnipeg, Jean worked the night shift at St. Boniface General Hospital so she would be home when her boys went to school in the morning and returned in the afternoon. She left her night supervisor position at St. Boniface General to become an instructor at the St. Boniface LPN School, from which she retired as Assistant Director in 1981. Jean joined the Shrine Ladies Auxiliary in 1978, serving as President in 1989. She was also active in the Daughters of the Nile. She and Arthur travelled often in retirement with their many friends. Jean thoroughly enjoyed her volunteer work at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and she cultivated a passion for purchasing shoes. Jean's passing was preceded by her parents, Lavina and Ronald McGibbon; her brother Jack McGibbon; her sister Corinne McGibbon; and Arthur James Valiant, her husband of 47 years. She is survived by her three sons, Gordon Arthur Valiant (Susan) of Beaverton, Oregon; Ronald George Valiant (Marlyss) of Calgary, AB; James Robert Valiant (Judy) of Red Lake, ON; and five grandchildren, Clinton, Theresa, Angela, Arthur, and William. She is loved and will be missed. At her request, no service will be held. The family suggests contributions in her memory may be made to the Shriners' Burn Fund, 1155 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg, R3P 1B9. Family and friends are invited to remember Jean at her home in Winnipeg on Tuesday, May 24 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME, 669 Broadway is in care of arrangements; 783-7211.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 18, 2005