April 15, 1955 to January 7,2026
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not die” Thomas Campbell
It is with deep sorrow and broken hearts we announce the passing of Kayleen Roseanne Valley, of Selkirk, at the age of 70. After a lengthy battle with many health issues, she can finally rest in peace and pain free.
Kayleen was predeceased by her mother Johanna Winters, Father Louis Gunderson, Stepfathers Massey (Jim) Winters and Norman Gosselin; Brothers Harold, Richard, Lorne and Theodore; Sisters Vivian, Lorraine and Diane; Sister in-law Wanda; Brother in-law Leonard; Nephews Bob and James; Niece Carly; Extended family Tony and Camille; Chosen family Lois, Joe, Sherry, Bill and her loving furry companion Farley.
Left to mourn and cherish her memory is her husband of 50 years David; Children Tamara (Mark), Dallis (Tiffany) and Trevor; Grandchildren Jillian (Matt), Jaden (Hannah), Jordan, Rylee and Trystan; Brother Stephen; Sister in-laws Virginia, Shirley and Liliane; Extended family Margaret, Jules (Marie), Andre (Elda), Lionel (Debbie), Annette (Bradley), Karen (Bob), Angelle (Bill) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family; Chosen family Lucie, Kim, Barb (Lance), Sandra, Tim and their families.
Kayleen was born in Vita, Manitoba the youngest of nine children and grew up on the family farm in Piney. She shared with us lots of stories and memories of her time there. When her father passed away, the remaining family that lived at home moved to Winnipeg, then to Oshawa where her mother remarried Jim. When her stepfather Jim passed away, shortly after that she moved back to Winnipeg. This is where Kay and Dave met and lived while raising their own family and eventually moving to Selkirk, where she resided until her passing.
In her younger years while living in Winnipeg Kay took pride in her job as a courier driver for the Pink Lady delivery company. She also enjoyed singing in a band with her brothers Rick and Stephen, playing several places around Manitoba and at many family gatherings. When she moved to Selkirk, she started to work for Vantasy Van Conversions, then retrained to become a Sheet Metal Assembler and worked at Bristol Aerospace until it restructured and closed. This meant a restructuring of her career path once more and she decided to go into health care. This started with taking her Health Care Aide course and getting a position at the Betel Personal Care Home in Selkirk before starting her 20 plus year career at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. While working at SMHC as a PNA (Psychiatric Nurses Assistant), the opportunity came up to take the LPN (Licenced Practical Nursing) course, after much back and forth, she decided to go all in. This was how she rolled, go big or go home was always her way. She retired from her career in nursing in 2019 due to illness.
While working at the SMHC she attended many after work gatherings at the Selkirk Legion, Branch 42. These many gatherings led to countless friendships and bonds she held dear to her heart. It also prompted her to become a Legion Member in 2013 and then a member of the Executive committee for just over 10 years. With her love for music, it was not a shock that she would take charge of the entertainment sector and she took pride in her work, working from her hospital bed right up to the very end. For a short time in 2024, she temporarily took over as Second Vice President in the interim, until they were able to fill the position.
Our family would like to thank all the staff that looked after Kayleen while at the Selkirk Reginal Health Centre and at HSC when she was transferred there. Thanks to the countless friends and family that stopped into see her while in hospital, this really brightened her days. Special thanks to Dr. Teferi, the ER teams at both hospitals, Medicine units 3 & 4, GH7 HOBS special care unit, STARS air ambulance, all the specialist involved in her care and the palliative care team at HSC.
As per Kayleen’s wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration will be held on Sunday August 2nd, 2026 at 2pm at The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 42 in Selkirk, Mb. In lieu of flowers the family would request that you make a donation in Kayleen’s Honour to The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 42, HSC Foundation, Selkirk Reginal Health Centre, STARS Air Ambulance or a charity of your choosing. As per mom’s wishes please remember her with love in your heart and laughter, because if you don’t laugh you cry and sometimes you do both. She kept her sense of humour right up to the end of her life, making us all laugh when we wanted to cry.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Kayleen’s memorial page using the comment field below.