Helen Valerie Grenier (nee Davis) - July 8, 1939 - July 8, 2016
Valerie Grenier was the Charter President of Orangeville Chorus.
She worked tirelessly to make sure all the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed! No one was more prouder when the chorus was awarded their charter on November 19, 1981.
Val designed the chorus’s first costume – the ‘long black dress’ – sewn by her dear friend Kay MacGregor, and the chorus wore it proudly at the charter party. The classy black marabou turned out to not be showy enough trim for the first Contest in 1983, so Valerie once again stepped up and made some glorious white ruffles with black trim – an awesome addition. She remained on the costume team for several more incarnations of that dress.
A classy woman who also looked her best no matter where she was or what she was doing, Val's earrings always matched, and so did her shoes!
Valerie sang tenor, was Tenor Section Leader for a while, and sang in several quartets—the first being The Music Ma’ams with Pat Vipond, Helen Irwin and Jessie MacMillan. One of their favourite songs was ‘Grandma’s Feather Bed’!
Valerie served on the Board of Directors for a good part of her chorus life and always had great ideas and excellent input into any chorus project.
She had a beautiful home in Caledon where she raised three great sons – Michael, Guy and Glenn – and hosted several chorus parties. Laughter and good times were always present. She hosted one such party entitled SODTC – secret code for ‘Send Our Director To Camp’, where the chorus sang parody songs and raised money to send Pat to her first ever summer Directors’ Workshop!
Val was on the famous bus trip to Lake Placid, the chorus’s first-ever music school and she
attended every music school thereafter. Some of those car trips are legend! Valerie also spent time in the North Metro Chorus and was always a wonderful Sweet Adeline.
Valerie loved a good laugh, a good joke and a good scotch! She was a great friend and remained a huge support to Orangeville Chorus long after she left the risers. She would always send a “Go get ‘em!” card before contest – often with a cheque inside for $100!
She joined the chorus for the Paris trip in 2003 and was heard singing tenor with Kay MacGregor on the plane! She loved being part of that experience with the chorus.
Although having some mobility issues, Val put forth a phenomenal effort and was able to attend Pat’s retirement party in 2014 and rekindled friendships with many chorus members including charter members Pat Vipond, Joan Borden, Anne Richardson (all still in the chorus) and Jill McNichol, Barb Flanagan, Sharon Wilson, Kay MacGregor and Lucie Pearce.
Val left this world on her birthday and for sure would be welcomed into the Heavenly Choir with great celebration. She left her mark. Val will be missed by her sons, their families, and her many friends.
