Val Leahy

1960 - 2025

 Valerie Lynn Leahy (née Mrakava), beloved wife of Kevin Leahy, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at the age of 65 years, with her husband at her side, surrounded by dear friends at her happy place, their cabin at Lee Lake.

Val is survived by Kevin, her husband of thirty nine years and their daughter Tegan of Calgary; She is also by her mother-in-law Marie Leahy and by many in her extended family.

She was predeceased by her parents Steve and Shirley Mrakava, sister Venetia, father-in-law Don Leahy and sister-in-law Patcee Jensen.

Born in Brooks on January 5, 1960, Val attended Rolling Hills School until grade nine, then Brooks Composite for high school. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelors degree in Education and began her teaching career in Banff. In 1984, she moved back to her parent’s farm in Tilley. It was there that she met Kevin, sitting at her parents table having a “safety meeting” with all his hunting buddies. They married on Feb. 15, 1986 and on May 6, 1989, they welcomed their daughter Tegan Marie into the world. Val’s teaching career continued at Lethbridge College at Red Crow, then at D.A. Ferguson and W.R. Myers. Never known to sit still, she continued her education earning her Professional Diploma of Education in 1992 and earning her Masters Degree in Education in 1998. She achieved all of this while raising Tegan and working full time. After earning her Masters Degree, her administration career began, starting at St. Mary’s school and concluding in 2018 at St. Joe’s in Coaldale. Val loved St. Joe’s so much, she dubbed it her retirement job! Her lasting impact with her former students and teaching associates is felt to this day.

Val had a long career on the curling ice, including a Dominion championship in 2010, a silver medal in the Mixed Provincial championships and three silver medals at the Masters Ladies provincial championships.

Val served on the Taber Special Needs Society and was President of the Cotton Pickers Quilt Guild. Between curling seasons, Val loved spending time at their Lee Lake cabin, going for pontoon boat rides (as long as it wasn’t too windy), golfing (as long as it wasn’t too windy), fly-fishing, campfires and pretty well doing anything the Crowsnest Pass had to offer (as long as it wasn’t too windy). She especially enjoyed out fishing Kevin (even if it was windy).

Val was the queen of planning. Her day timer had every day planned throughout the year! We will all miss the organizing of our holidays, dinners, brew pub visits, concerts, sporting events or any of the many things she wanted us to do.

Val was also incredibly generous with her time and heart. She loved to find the perfect gift or make the perfect quilt for family and friends. She loved hosting her friends and family at the house in Taber or the cabin at Lee Lake. She always made sure you had a drink in your hand and a charcuterie plate to snack on.

Val was a force of nature. She leaves us with a hole in our hearts and we will miss her dearly.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber, on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. Private burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by clicking on the livestream link that will be available on this page at 10:45 A.M. on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Barring any technical difficulties, the livestream will begin at 11:00 A.M.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Val’s name may be made directly to the Taber Food Bank, 5512 - 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1S4 or to the Taber Special Needs Society, Box 4912, Taber, Alberta T1G 2E1 www.taberspecialneeds.org.

You can also honour Val by hugging your family and friends tight and telling them you love them loudly and often. Go cross country skiing or snowshoeing this winter. Spend time hiking or fishing this summer. Go curling, go golfing, go see live music or theatre. Curl up under a quilt and watch Law and Order. Val would want us all to be busy doing things we love with people we love even more.

P.S. God better be ready for her; things are never going to the be the same up there.