Val Barker

Val Barker was born on August 11th, 1958, in Toronto, Ontario, and later moved to British Columbia. She made some wonderful friends and great memories while living in Pouce Coupe and Dawson Creek but then again, she made friends and great memories everywhere she went. Val suddenly passed away at the young age of 64 on July 19th, 2023, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. If you're a smoker, please consider quitting.

Val, being the family & friends-oriented person, spent as much time as possible making memories and reminiscing about memories from the past. Every single visit we would say remember when...

Val was predeceased by her parents Walter and Olive Barker, sister Kathy Lou Behan, brother Allan, son (Little) Kenny Courtoreille, as well as many loved ones. We would often joke that we know more people on the other side than we do here.

Val will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Joanell Johnson Kraiger (Jeremy), Jennifer Johnson, Carol Laboucan & Evelyn Courtoreille; her grandchildren, Aurora Johnson-Patrick, Landon Johnson- Fontaine, Caileb Johnson-Fontaine, Kyle Courtoreille, Cory Horseman, Sonny Horseman, Rosanne Laboucan, Denisha Courtoreille, and Electra Smith; brothers, George Barker (Ivy), and Paul Barker (Beth); as well as her sisters, Karol McBurney (Warren), Sharon Curtis, and Joyce Giacomantonio (Mike). Val will also be remembered by her nieces, nephews, and friends.

I would like to thank her brother George Barker, Ivy, and family who have been a Godsend during the past few years and they have always been there for our family from the beginning. I would also like to thank her best friend of many, many years, Doreen Boehm, for always being there when we need her. She has been so supportive through everything and always has been available when needed.

Val was a cab driver for many years and met some wonderful people along the way. She went on to be a Financial Assistance Worker and loved it. It was during that time that we moved from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Penticton British Columbia. Her parents followed suit a few months later.

She had a love for family, photography (in fact she took Joanell & Jeremy's engagement picture), and so much more. She loved road trips, garage sales, and thrifting always on the lookout for treasures. Joanell & Jeremy moved up to Dawson Creek as newlyweds so they sent letters back and forth. Their letters were long and after reading a letter, I just had to call Mom to chat because we always had so much to talk about which baffled Jeremy. We would also have a girl's day where we went off to enjoy each other's company.

Instead of a funeral, she wanted us to celebrate her life so we will be having a Celebration of Life on August 20th, 2023, at 130 Gardner Court, Penticton, BC, at 12 PM. Anything you want to send for the service can be sent there as well. Her favourite colour was blue so we would love to see her family & friends wearing blue if possible.