12/30/2022
OBITUARY ( Passed Away on Saturday, February 5, 2022) - "A Gal Named Val" written by Don Coleman
It is with a heavy heart that we celebrate the life of our friend Valerie Dunn.
A painter, vocalist, photographer, public speaker, songwriter, author, playwright, publisher, editor and an animal magnet are just a few of the key characteristics that describe our well spoken, dynamic, genuine, sharp-witted, classy and inspiring colleague. Valerie is the editor and publisher of Hi-Rise community newspaper, and the steadfast spirit behind the publication that is celebrating its 43rd year.
To capture the essence of her spirit in a memoriam article of this length is akin to reducing the length of the classic book known as “War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy, into a reader’s Digest story. The year 2022 marked her 90th birthday. She is one of the most interesting people I have ever encountered during my 59 years on the planet. Countless people would concur that Valerie was an extra-special being. A person that captured the hearts of those who had the pleasure of meeting her. Abound with knowledge, wisdom and endless stories of value, that she shared with infectious enthusiasm.
In kindergarten she was recognized as a natural talent. Thus, she was selected as lead vocalist in her school’s musical group. This experience culminated her lifelong participation in many performance-based groups including Gilbert & Sullivan shows (wearing fairies wings and long flowing gowns) and Bach’s creation known as St. Matthew Passion. Over the years, her vocal talents saw her travel across North America and Europe performing on stages in multiple musical productions. A great achievement for a young lady who at first was fearful of gracing the public stage.
The first time that I read the Hi-Rise Community Newspaper I noticed that the editor-publisher was a lady named Valerie Dunn. It was Valerie who embraced me as a young man. She published a poem that I wrote called “Unsenior Citizens.” Her willingness to publish that poem inspired me to become a writer, and to continue writing to this day. That monumental moment motivated me, raised my sense of self worth and inspired me to believe in myself. Coming full-circle as a writer for Hi-Rise today is certainly serendipitous.
The youngest of five children in her family, Val attended Western Technical School Commercial School in Toronto’s west end. When a school project took her to a government office where she impressed the powers that be there so much, that they offered her a full-time job as a junior stenographer. Subsequently she spent time hanging around print shops and spending time with exceptional teachers and administrators, where she observed their skills and listened to their advice attentively. These experiences became one of Val’s greatest tools of learning. She forged ahead and became the assistant editor of the Presbyterian Record national magazine for 16 years. She accomplished great strides for women as a member of the international organization called the Business and Professional Women's clubs. Valerie shone as a columnist for the Toronto Star publication known as The Mirror. She also created a consulting business that grew quickly into a going concern with more than 20 valued clients, and attended night courses at the Ontario College of Art and Ryerson University.
From humble beginnings to long standing member of the North Toronto Club and successful purveyor of news, opinion and subjects of interest, Valerie’s dedication and passion is a testament for all of us to live by. Valerie grew her vision into a success story, despite the many challenges that she has encountered throughout the journey. A labour of love and an achievement that spans the better part of a lifetime doing what she loved.
Valerie Dunn was devout believer who was born in the USA, who spent most of her life as a proud Torontonian. Val was keen to share that she was related to English Royalty on her mother’s side of the family. She said in our interview together, “it remains a mystery how my mother and father met. Mum was from England and Dad was from New Orleans. She declared, “I cannot for the life of me fathom how they met in the late 1800s, considering that they grew up on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Life and its many mysteries. I can only hope that in this moment Valerie Dunn is sipping a cup of hot orange pekoe tea with her parents and siblings, laughing and having fun at her great family reunion in the sky. We love you Val. You will always be fondly remembered and sadly missed. Rest in peace beloved friend.
