I was born and raised in New Zealand and, in 1975 having graduated as a registered nurse after three and a half years of hospital-based training, I set out to see the world. I met my husband to be in Port Alberni, began working at West Coast General Hospital and the rest, as they say, is history.

I have lived and worked in the Alberni Valley since then and retired after 49years of combined frontline nursing and management experience in acute and community care.

As a former health care professional, I have long been involved in the development of palliative and end of life care services within the Alberni Valley and the Vancouver Island Health Authority. In 2007 I was involved in the planning for the the opening of Ty Watson House having been responsible for the implementation of Island Health clinical services including staffing, policy guidelines, collaboration with Community Care Licensing, staff training and the day-to-day oversight of community palliative services.

I am a strong believer in giving back to the community and over the years I have been involved with many organizations and one of my passions is to advocate for, and improve the health of, area residents. I strongly support the need for robust, compassionate end of life services both in Ty Watson House and in the community. I am constantly amazed and inspired by the compassion and selflessness of so many people who reside in Port Alberni and give, not only to Hospice but to so many organizations and services.

In my role as President of the Alberni Valley Hospice Society my vision for the Society is the growth and delivery of excellent palliative/end of life care, commitment to community and further developing and fostering solid working relationships with stakeholders while pursuing improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and quality while balancing service demands and fiscal accountability.

When not involved with community activities I can be found helping out with grand children who bring us much joy, working in my garden, enjoying the great outdoors - hiking, boating and socializing with friends.