Valerie Monica Samuels, AKA Valerie Monica Keshavjee

Valerie Monica Samuels Keshavjee, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in Toronto, Canada, on June 27, 2026, at the age of 88.

Valerie was born on May 28, 1938, in Kliptown, Johannesburg, South Africa, to Henry and Dorothy Samuels. She shared 63 wonderful years of marriage with her devoted husband, Dr. Hassen Keshavjee, building a life centered on love, family, compassion, and service to others.

She was the cherished mother of three daughters, Yasmin, Nadia, and Tanya, of whom she was immensely proud. Valerie was also a devoted grandmother to Tara, Lauryn, Natalie, Adam, Dana, Isabella, Natalia, Luca, and Sophie. She found tremendous joy in helping care for each of her nine grandchildren, creating countless cherished memories and providing unwavering love and support throughout their lives.

Valerie embraced life with warmth, laughter, and remarkable energy. She had a sharp wit, a wonderful sense of humor, and was always ready for a shopping trip, a meal out, or an adventure with family and friends. She loved knitting and crocheting beautiful gifts for those she loved, singing in her church choir, traveling, and, above all, spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

Growing up during Apartheid in South Africa profoundly shaped Valerie's values. She was firmly opposed to racism and instilled in her family the enduring principles of equality, justice, compassion, and kindness. She believed every person deserved dignity and respect, and she lived those beliefs through both her words and her actions.

Valerie's home was a place of warmth and belonging. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners always had room for one more, welcoming anyone who was far from home or simply needed a place to celebrate. She believed that family was created not only by blood but also by generosity, inclusion, and love.

Valerie's greatest legacy is the example she set. She raised three strong, independent, and successful daughters while demonstrating resilience, grace, and unconditional love. She was a constant source of encouragement and wisdom, a trusted confidante, and an extraordinary role model whose influence will continue through the generations she helped shape.

Valerie will be remembered for her kindness, her laughter, her generous spirit, and her unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

Her family asks that those wishing to honor her memory do so by carrying these values forward—treating others with compassion, standing up for justice, welcoming those who feel alone, and building a world that reflects the love and humanity she lived every day.

Valerie is survived by her beloved husband, of 63 years, Dr. Hassen Keshavjee; her daughters, Yasmin, Nadia, and Tanya; sons-in-law, John and Paulo; her grandchildren, Tara, Lauryn, Natalie, Adam, Dana, Isabella, Natalia, Luca, and Sophie; her sister, Dolores; her nephew, Adrian and his wife Danielle and her great-nephew, Miles; niece’s and nephew in South Africa Judi and Sandra and Vernon their children, Neo, Zoe, Lionel, and Alain and his wife Chanelle; her nieces and nephew in Australia, Ingrid, Bridgette and Glen, and their children; cousins Joan, Augustus, Fred and Laureen and their families in Jhb.

She was predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Henry, siblings, Colin, Isabelle, June, and Maureen, her nieces Lynn and Sonya and cousin Donald.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives she touched.