January 24, 1940 – November 26, 2025
at the age of 85 years;
A funeral service to celebrate Val’s life will be held at St. John’s Church, 170 Shuswap St S, Salmon Arm, BC, on January 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
Valerie Malene Donovan (née Carnahan) passed away peacefully at Salmon Arm Hospital on November 26, 2025, at the age of 85.
Born in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan on January 24, 1940, Val’s life was filled with adventure, resilience, and love. She moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she married Clayton Munz and together they raised three children: Cameron (1960–1977), Robin (1961–2022), and Melody (1962–present). In 1964, the family relocated to Southern California, spending nine memorable years before returning to Winnipeg in 1973.
In 1980, Val moved to Alberta, where she met and married Richard Lenz. She built a successful career as a paralegal and later as an administrator at Concordia University. Upon retiring in 2005, she settled in the Shuswap, becoming a beloved fixture in the Anglemont community. Val embraced life in the Shuswap wholeheartedly, participating in local events such as the Pig and Whistle, joining fun acting groups, golfing, and enjoying the beauty of the region.
Her faith was central to her life. As an active member of St. David’s Church in Celista, Val served for many years as a lay minister. It was there she met John Donovan, the church’s “handy man,” who became the love of her life. They married in 2013 and shared many joyful years together.
Val is predeceased by her brothers and sisters Frank, Arthur, Arlene, and Beryl, as well as her children Cameron and Robin. She leaves behind her devoted husband John Donovan, her daughter Melody Munz and husband Zbynek, her grandson Shane Sutherland (wife Tiane Rhett), her granddaughter Stefanie Sutherland, and her son-in-law Gary Couronne.
Val’s legacy is one of kindness, community spirit, and unwavering love for her family. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A funeral service to celebrate Val’s life will be held at St. John’s Church, 170 Shuswap St S, Salmon Arm, BC, on January 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
A lovely woman, a great reader and prayer leader, a huge loss for John and all of us at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church.
My deepest sympathy to John , Melody and Val’s dear grandchildren, great grandson, other family and friends.
Val was one of my very dearest friends. I will miss her so much. May God bless you all as you remember our dear Val.