Obituary
Vala Reva Faith Shelemy
Vala has left on one of her long solitary walks at her mother’s urging. She departed the morning of January 14th, 2022 from the Selkirk Mental Health Centre after a valiant battle with end-stage Alzheimer’s.
Vala was 50 and was predeceased by her father Harry Shelemy. She leaves behind her mother Roseanne and siblings Guy, Steve (Celine), Tanya (Danny) and Tracy (Brian). Vala loved babysitting her six nephews Ryan, Levi, Braden, Matthew, Ethan, Edwin and her niece Elise. Aunty Vala was a willing playmate for them with unlimited patience.
Vala arrived in Winnipeg Misericordia Hospital on February 4th, 1971 as the fourth child to parents Harry and Roseanne Shelemy of St Andrews, Manitoba. Vala was born with Down Syndrome which gave her a special place in the family and she touched the hearts of many during her lifetime. To summarize those who were closest to her; “Vala’s sweet soul will be dearly missed”.
Vala was easygoing, but very independent, gentle natured, but very determined. She had a sense of humour and could be mischievous. Vala loved dancing to Ukrainian and country music. She loved helping whomever she could – often taking the initiative with humorous results.
Vala spent her early childhood years attending the Special Education Program at Daerwood School in Selkirk and the Catechism Program at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg. When the family moved to Gimli in 1979, Vala attended school there with her other siblings. During this time, Vala won several awards as a running athlete in Manitoba Special Olympics. Vala graduated with a Special Diploma from Gimli High School in 1991. She then briefly worked at Cornerstone Enterprises in Gimli until afflicted with an unexpected illness.
After Vala and her mother moved to Selkirk in 2003, she started “my work” at Inclusion Selkirk where she reunited with old friends. Vala finally retired from “work” in 2019 after beginning her struggle with Alzheimer’s. Vala spent a short time at Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall and in 2020, she was transferred to the Dementia Care Unit at Selkirk Mental Health Centre – from where she left us on her final solitary walk.
A private funeral service will be held at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in Selkirk, Manitoba. Final interment will follow this spring at Church of the Annunciation Cemetery in Woodlands, Manitoba.
On Vala’s behalf, our family wishes to thank the numerous individuals who assisted Vala throughout her life. Many have expressed deep gratitude that Vala had touched their hearts with lasting effect. They share belief that a blameless and gentle saint has walked among us.
Donations in Vala’s memory can be made to Special Olympics Manitoba or the Manitoba Down Syndrome Society.
Condolences may be left on her tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vala Shelemy, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Vala Shelemy January 14 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Selkirk, Province: Manitoba