Valerie grew up in Burnley, Lancashire, a coal-mining and cotton weaving town in Great Britain. She was an only child and leaves behind many relatives in U.K., including the descendants of her favourite uncles Tom, and Harry. In Canada she leaves many friends and colleagues.
Valerie studied medicine at University of Aberdeen and after graduation worked in Tasmania, Australia, and then Toronto, finally settling at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, (CHEO) Ottawa, as radiologist.
Dr. Briggs was very talented. She played the piano, guitar, ukelele, banjo and mariachi. She loved dancing, singing and opera and, in her later years at the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre, she learned Spanish dancing and became proficient with castanets. She collected painting, one by Noel Leaver, a local Burnley artist. “My father used to take me to see art”.
Val loved being in or on the water, especially at her cottage at Lac Heney, Quebec; she excelled at swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. She was excellent sailor, had her own sailboat in the Caribbean and was an active member of Ottawa’s Britannia Yacht Club. She also learned to fly and had obtained a certificate for solo flying. She loved hiking - “practice from steep hills on Manchester Road, Burnley”.
Dr. Briggs travelled extensively; any place one mentioned she had been there on work or holiday – U.S. (even Alaska), UK, Brazil, Egypt, India, Machu Pichu (Peru), Galapagos, Zimbabwe, China, and much of Europe. Her last trip in 2022 took her to Israel and the Dead Sea and back to Germany for the Passion Play at Oberammergau.
Valerie was generous and respected all living beings. Once she rescued a garter snake caught in a plastic garden mesh; she sighed with relief as it slid away. She doted on and spoilt her dogs — Pete and Frizzii, among others —and was a patron of the Ottawa Humane Society. She also gave generously to children’s charitable organisations. She sponsored a little girl through Foster Parents, and brought presents for the girl’s family when she visited them in India. In Ottawa, Valerie belonged to the Canadian Federation of University Women where she was part of the Company of Lady Adventurers and various Cuisine Groups. Val, who was an excellent cook, said she learned cooking from “little Auntie,” her mother’s younger sister. Her buffets for parties at her home and cottage were delicious and legendary.
Val often asked the question What is the meaning of life? She answered by living a full life. Her spirit of adventure and caring continues to inspire us.
Relatives and friends would like to thank the staff at Rockcliffe Residence and Bruyere-St Vincent Hospital for their gentle care during her last days.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday March 18, 2026 in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre at 1 pm followed by a reception.
The family will appreciate donations in her honour to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation, The Ottawa Humane Society, or a charity of choice.
Digital Guestbook
May douba
Kristin Udjus
Such a good and trusted collegue!
Thank you for all those years at C.H.E.O together. Rest in peace.
Colleen Dunn
I worked with her for decades and she was a dedicated professional and always kind and caring to her patients and co-workers. She was a lot of fun too!! There is surely a special place for her 'beyond the veil'.
Carmen Rotaru
I met Dr. Briggs few years prior her retirement. I appreciated her British since of humor. I was a new staff at the time and much younger. She was such an inspiration to me for her resilience and living life fully. Although I did not work with her long enough, she inspired me in many ways.
Rest in peace.
Iknew Valerie at The Good Companions enjoyed her musicality and her presence full of empathy. I already miss her in our music groups.