President

Anne is an early childhood special needs educator currently practicing as an infant-toddler educator.

Anne is also very involved with Special Olympics as a coach, hence the shirt.

For over 5 years, she has been a hospice member and volunteer. Hospice means a lot to Anne and her family, as many of her family and friends have received hospice services around the country.

Vice-President

Susan is a retired teacher and union activist.

She is one of the founders of Prince Rupert’s first Transition house and has served as a director on the Library Board, Prince Rupert Amateur Swim Club, and Northern Savings Credit Union.

Susan enjoys walking, yoga, and reading.

Treasurer

Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Joanne and her husband now call Prince Rupert home. This was only after spending five years north of Terrace living “off the grid” ie no running water or electricity!

Over the years Joanne has volunteered her services to various organizations - the local soccer club, the Parent Advisory Committee, Growing Space, and now Hospice.

In her spare time Joanne likes to garden and catch up with friends, either here or travelling to wherever they might be.

Secretary

Joan was born and raised in Prince Rupert and has been have been married to her husband Jun for 54 years. They have three sons, 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

She enjoys boating and kayaking, walking, especially with four legged friends, reading and various crafts.

Joan has volunteered with Hospice for a decade in various roles. It is her privilege to be able to offer support to the terminally ill in their final days, and to support their families during a very difficult time.

No one should feel alone at this period of their lives. Joan feel strongly that Hospice is a very important service for our community.

Hospice Coordinator

Joanne’s background of Administration and Hospitality has seen her working in London on the development of Canary Wharf, arranging fashion parades in Western Queensland and hosting cell phone launches in Northern Queensland, to giving presentations about Australia to schools in Eastern Iceland.

Her travel around the world has made Joanne appreciate how those around you become family. This is why Hospice is important to her, to be there for others at their end-of-life like family when their family needs a break, or when there is no family. She has been a Hospice member and Volunteer for many years.

Joanne has volunteered at all the elementary schools her children have attended. From assisting with reading English in Iceland, reading and math classes in Australia, and both assisting with and giving art classes in Canada.

Time spent with her adult children is one she cherishes. When not planning what next to do either in the house or in their backyard, Joanne’s downtime is spent creating mixed media pieces in her art studio. She is also a member of the North Coast Artist Co-Operative where she displays her art for sale and volunteers.

Director

Michelle was born and raised in Prince Rupert, eventually leaving the community in 1990. Michelle has lived in various communities in B.C. and even called Revelstoke home for 15 years before returning to Prince Rupert in 2013. She has been in the Financial Services industry for more than 25 years with experience in investment and financial planning, personal and small business lending and branch leadership.

In her spare time she enjoys outdoor pursuits such as walking, hiking, and camping with family and friends as well as spending time with her now grown children. Lifelong learning is also a passion for her.

During her years in Financial Services Michelle has assisted many clients and members with ensuring their estate plans are in order, as well as assisting families with in carrying out their loved ones wishes when the times comes.

After having the occasion to utilize hospice resources during her time spent caring for her parents at the end of their lives, Michelle became a hospice advocate. Michelle looks forward to growing hospice and advance planning awareness in our community and supporting a progressive and compassionate approach to the end of life journey.

Director

Yvonne was born and raised in Ireland. She taught in elementary school there for nine years. In 1986 she came to Prince Rupert to teach at Annunciation School. She continued working there until her retirement.

In her spare time, Yvonne enjoys walking, gardening, reading, listening to music, and knitting.

Although new to the Hospice Board, Yvonne is looking forward to working with the experienced members already there. She hopes to play a positive role in this important service in our community.

Grief Support Facilitator

Connie is a retired RN who has been involved with various Hospice Societies across British Columbia over the span of more than thirty years.

After settling in Prince Rupert, she participated with a local group in 2009 to get the Hospice Society here reestablished following its earlier dissolution. She served first as the Volunteer Coordinator for 10 years before retiring and taking on this new role as Grief Support Facilitator. With Connie’s extensive experience with facilitating grief groups over the years, this role allows her to continue sharing her knowledge. Offering information and support to those in grief is her passion.

Other passions of Connie’s are spending time with her grandchildren, swimming, and yearly winter trips to Mexico.

Director

Louisa is a retired teacher and strong activist for Social Justice.

She is one of the founders of Prince Rupert’s North Coast Immigrant & Multicultural Services Society (NCIMSS), and has been a Hospice member for over a decade.

Presently she is a School Trustee and volunteers her time with the following organizations: Kaien Anti-Poverty Society (KAPS), Mental Health and Addictions Society, Community Response Network (CRN), Friendship House Elders, the BC Retired Teachers Association, as well as here with the Prince Rupert Hospice.

Louisa enjoys swimming, reading, travelling, and socializing with Elders and other service providers in Prince Rupert.