Obituary of Valerie Deakin

Valerie Deakin passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday September 3, 2026 in Kingston. She was predeceased by her husband of 74 years Bill and leaves her children Janice (Sue), Ian (Mirella) and her grandchildren, Ellie (Thibault), Lani (Joel) and Jake.

Originally from Shifnal, England, mom was born in 1931 and emigrated, with dad, to Smiths Falls in 1953. What was to be a short stay turned into something much longer.  Together they built a meaningful and fulfilling life, there.

Mom was first and foremost a caring and gracious human being. 

A passionate educator, Valerie is remembered as a relentless advocate for access to education for children with disabilities and as a trailblazer for women in positions of school leadership.    Her own professional journey began in 1966 when she started volunteering at a newly formed pre-school for children with developmental delays.  Two years later, when that program evolved into a day school (in the basement of Perth’s Farrel Hall), mom was hired as one of three founding teachers.  In 1970 the school shifted to the former New Aberdeen School site in Smiths Falls and Valerie was appointed Principal, the first and only female Principal in the Lanark County School Board for over 10 years. 

Like many other women of her generation, mom capably managed her professional and familial responsibilities.  In addition, Valerie attended night and summer school for decades (continuously) to acquire the knowledge and skills, to stay current (improve her practice). She earned Specialist Certificates in Special Education, Teaching the Retarded, and Speech and Language, her Ontario Teachers Certificate and a Bachelor of Art Degree from Carleton University before she retired in 1989.

In 1977 mom was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal for contribution to the lives of developmental children through education and for her work with the Special Olympics.  Mom served on the Executive Council of the Ontario Association of Developmental Education (OADE) as President and Member at Large.

In 1990 she was appointed to the Ontario Trillium Foundation where she adjudicated grant applications from the not-for-profit sector for improvements throughout the Quinte, Kingston and Rideau catchment areas. 

In 1993, Deakin House was built and named in honour of Valerie Deakin in Perth by Tayside Community Options.  In 2002 mom was awarded the Luch McCormick Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Advancement of the Developmentally Challenged by OADE and a life-time membership in the organization.

Good health and a lengthy retirement gave mom and dad the opportunity to explore the world and spend their winters in Florida where they joined new communities of friends.

A reception will be held to celebrate Valerie’s life at Blair and Son Funeral Home, 112 Beckwith Street North, Smiths Falls, on Friday, September 11 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. followed by interment at St Bede’s cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to SE Foundation (St. Elizabeth) from whom Valerie received companionate care.