Our Board
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Is this YOU?
President
If you are a Hospice member interested in taking on this role, please contact Hospice either by phone (250-622-624) or by email (princeruperthospice@gmail.com).
If you are not already a Hospice Member, annual membership is only $5.
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Is this YOU?
Vice-President
If you are a Hospice member interested in taking on this role, please contact Hospice either by phone (250-622-624) or by email (princeruperthospice@gmail.com).
If you are not already a Hospice Member, annual membership is only $5.
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Joanne Donohoe
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.
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Joan Yamamoto
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.
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Aileen Smith
Director
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Anita Kouwenhoven
Director
Anita was raised in Prince Rupert before attending UBC and becoming a social worker. She spent 32 years as a probation officer, along with some years as a youth worker and family court counselor/mediator. Anita retired March 2025 after a very fulfilling career.
She enjoys the privilege of connecting with those who may be in need of compassionate human connections. This included volunteering at a safe house for first responders who were in the lower mainland for treatment for operational stress and other medical needs. After moving back to Prince Rupert in 2018, Anita joined the Hospice Society, training as a Hospice Volunteer.
She was thrilled to be chosen as one of the Hospice Society's newest board members, being given the opportunity to learn from experienced board members.
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Christine MacKenzie
Director
Christine has lived in Prince Rupert for 49 years, (30 years in Port Edward). She has been a municipal councilor for District of Port Edward for the past 20 years.
In March 2024 Christine lost her husband of 43 years to cancer. Together they raised 3 children and have 4 grandsons and 1 grand daughter. Community and family are her treasures!
Christine was previously a Hospice Director and is also a trained Hospice Volunteer, often sitting with those at end of life or visiting with Residents at Acropolis. She is looking forward to serving on the Hospice Board again.
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Grainne Barthe
Director
Grainne moved to Prince Rupert 24 years ago from Montreal, and is now a very integral part of the Prince Rupert community working at the North Coast Transition Society. Grainne also volunteers for the Special Olympics and sits on the Accessibility Committee.
Grainne loves to travel and explore different communities around the world; otherwise, you will find her hanging out home puttering around the house.
Grainne is excited to be part of the Hospice Society to provide support to the important and amazing work being done.
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Louisa Sanchez
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.
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Vince Arimare
Director
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Yvonne Tighe
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.
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Joanne Ritchie
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.
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.
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Connie Munson
Grief Support Facilitator
Connie is a retired RN who has been involved with various Hospice Societies across BC for more than thirty years.
After settling in Prince Rupert, she participated with a local group in 2009 to reestablish the Hospice Society here following its earlier dissolution. On retiring as the Volunteer Coordinator after 10 years, she is now the Grief Support Facilitator. With her extensive experience with facilitating grief groups over the years, this role allows Connie to continue sharing her knowledge, offering information and support to those in grief.
Other passions of Connie’s are spending time with her grandchildren, swimming, and her yearly trips to Mexico.