Valerie Connie Blondeau

Valerie Connie “Chickadee” Blondeau (née Horsefall) passed away peacefully at Carewest Garrison Green on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the age of 81.

True to her nature, Valerie remained a woman of immense resilience and quiet determination until the very end. Even in her final days, her spirit was unyielding; she remained stubborn and full of life, constantly wanting to get up and go, refusing to let the world slow her down.Born on the Pasqua First Nation in 1945, Valerie was the youngest of 11 siblings and the last surviving member of her generation. Before her mandatory attendance at the Lebret Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan (from ages five through seventeen), she was grounded in the traditional teachings of her parents, Adrian and Sophie (née Burnstick) Horsefall—lessons of character and strength that would define her entire life.In 1976, driven by a fierce desire for independence, Valerie traveled west to Calgary. Through sheer grit and a tireless work ethic, she built a stable foundation for herself from the ground up. Once established, she brought her children to join her, carving out a new life for her family through her own "Chickadee" brand of tenacity.

In Calgary, Valerie found a second home at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre. It was there she built her greatest friendships and became a pillar of her community. She dedicated her professional life to helping others, working for many years as a Sterilization Technician with Alberta Health Services at the Peter Lougheed Centre until her retirement at age 71.A fiercely independent woman, Valerie never remarried, choosing instead to pour her boundless energy into her career and the joy of raising her grandchildren. She lived life entirely on her own terms. Whether she was conquering a difficult crossword, lost in a good book, or enjoying action movies and bingo, she possessed a sharp mind and an even sharper wit.

Valerie will be deeply missed by her children: John (Norma) Blondeau, Janice (Arnold) Blondeau-Getz, Jason Blondeau, Jeffery (Shiela) Blondeau, and Harold (Barb) Horsefall. Her legacy lives on through her 21 grandchildren: Ronin, Michanta, Tamara, John, Cody, Ayla, Dean, Tara, Jaylene, Jason Dean, Reagan, Rain, Bethany, Justin, Chenda, Jordan Shae, Charlie, Ariston, Reykjavik, Jessinia, and Willow; as well as her 14 great-grandchildren; her niece, Sylvia Stevenson; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.She is predeceased by her parents; her son, Christian Blondeau; and grandchildren, April Blondeau, Amber Bjerke, and Jeff Jr. Blondeau.Valerie was a force of nature—a woman who moved to the beat of her own drum and taught her family the true meaning of independence. She has finally "gotten up and gone" to join her ancestors, but her spirit remains with all who knew her.

Services:• Wake Service: Monday, March 16, 2026, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (with Traditional Feast) at Pierson’s Funeral Service (4121 - 17 Avenue SE, Calgary).• Funeral Ceremony: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:00 am at the same location.

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