MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LINDA LARSON, President
I was born in Comox, BC. We moved to Oliver in 1989 from Richmond, BC. I have been married to Larry for 51 years and we have three daughters Marnie (Jeff), Donna (Mike), Lynnet (Mac), and four grandchildren, Josh, Brianna, Austin and Riley. I am the former Mayor of Oliver (1997-2005), Chair BC Small Business Roundtable (2006-2011), Oliver Councillor (2011-2013), and MLA Boundary Similkameen (2013-2020). Currently I am the President of Sunnybank Ladies Auxiliary and a Kiwanis member.
I was born in Comox, BC. We moved to Oliver in 1989 from Richmond, BC. I have been married to Larry for 51 years and we have three daughters Marnie (Jeff), Donna (Mike), Lynnet (Mac), and four grandchildren, Josh, Brianna, Austin and Riley. I am the former Mayor of Oliver (1997-2005), Chair BC Small Business Roundtable (2006-2011), Oliver Councillor (2011-2013), and MLA Boundary Similkameen (2013-2020). Currently I am the President of Sunnybank Ladies Auxiliary and a Kiwanis member.
MAUREEN (MO) DOERR, Vice-President
Maureen is a long-time resident of Oliver. She has held many volunteer roles and been part of several community groups. Mo has served as Emergency Social Services Coordinator for the Town of Oliver setting up evacuation centres for natural disasters, leading up to 10 volunteer; served as Secretary, Treasurer, President and Director of the Rotary Club of Oliver; coordinated and trained youth on toastmasters, etiquette, and interviewing in the Oliver Youth Ambassador Program for 20 years; was one of the 3 original creators of the Oliver Art Walk; served on the Oliver Christmas Light Up committee in 2009; and served on the Okanagan Correction Centre Citizen Advisory Board. Mo also served as a Oliver Town Councillor from October 2007 - October 2018.
Maureen is a long-time resident of Oliver. She has held many volunteer roles and been part of several community groups. Mo has served as Emergency Social Services Coordinator for the Town of Oliver setting up evacuation centres for natural disasters, leading up to 10 volunteer; served as Secretary, Treasurer, President and Director of the Rotary Club of Oliver; coordinated and trained youth on toastmasters, etiquette, and interviewing in the Oliver Youth Ambassador Program for 20 years; was one of the 3 original creators of the Oliver Art Walk; served on the Oliver Christmas Light Up committee in 2009; and served on the Okanagan Correction Centre Citizen Advisory Board. Mo also served as a Oliver Town Councillor from October 2007 - October 2018.
CHRISTINA TERASOFF, Secretary
I was born and raised in Richmond, BC, where I spent the majority of my free time surrounded by my first love, horses. Shortly after graduating high school, I moved to Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, and through a local college, taught a therapeutic horseback riding program to people of all ages and abilities. In my 20s I returned to the Lower Mainland to pursue a career and in my 30s got married and had my two boys. Shortly after my second son was born, my husband and I were fortunate enough to transfer to Osoyoos. We currently live just outside of town with lots of land for my kids, chickens, and dogs to roam free. Our family feels very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place and we appreciate the serenity and sense of unity that living outside of a major centre offers. This is our forever home and I look forward to continuing to foster a strong sense of connection and wellbeing within our community.
I was born and raised in Richmond, BC, where I spent the majority of my free time surrounded by my first love, horses. Shortly after graduating high school, I moved to Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, and through a local college, taught a therapeutic horseback riding program to people of all ages and abilities. In my 20s I returned to the Lower Mainland to pursue a career and in my 30s got married and had my two boys. Shortly after my second son was born, my husband and I were fortunate enough to transfer to Osoyoos. We currently live just outside of town with lots of land for my kids, chickens, and dogs to roam free. Our family feels very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place and we appreciate the serenity and sense of unity that living outside of a major centre offers. This is our forever home and I look forward to continuing to foster a strong sense of connection and wellbeing within our community.
VERNA PAKAY, Treasurer
Verna's educational back ground is in both Sociology and Commerce. Verna started at 15 in the hospitality industry, was managing by 17, and supported herself through secondary education in the industry. She lived in Yellowknife for 30 years, then retired to Alberta 10 years ago. She discovered Osoyoos through a close friend that bought at Walden’s. It was love at first sight; so she purchased a condo in Osoyoos. Loving living here for the past 2 years, she is now looking forward to contributing to her community.
Verna's educational back ground is in both Sociology and Commerce. Verna started at 15 in the hospitality industry, was managing by 17, and supported herself through secondary education in the industry. She lived in Yellowknife for 30 years, then retired to Alberta 10 years ago. She discovered Osoyoos through a close friend that bought at Walden’s. It was love at first sight; so she purchased a condo in Osoyoos. Loving living here for the past 2 years, she is now looking forward to contributing to her community.
DIRECTORS
LEAH FOREMAN, Director
Leah Foreman was born and raised in Osoyoos and after 20 years in Vancouver she realized that the South Okanagan is where she belonged. Leah has a theatre and events background and has worked for such companies as the Arts Club Theatre and many years at Canucks Sports and Entertainment. She is now the General Manager at the beautiful Venables Theatre in Oliver. Leah loves being a Mom and spending lots of time outdoors.
Leah Foreman was born and raised in Osoyoos and after 20 years in Vancouver she realized that the South Okanagan is where she belonged. Leah has a theatre and events background and has worked for such companies as the Arts Club Theatre and many years at Canucks Sports and Entertainment. She is now the General Manager at the beautiful Venables Theatre in Oliver. Leah loves being a Mom and spending lots of time outdoors.
MARGARET INGEBRIGTSON, Director
Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.
Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.
Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.
Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.Margaret Ingebrigtson came to Oliver from Churchill, MB in 2004. A retired school teacher, Margaret exchanged the Polar Bear Capital of the World for the Wine Capital of Canada. It did not take long for Margaret’s abilities and gifts to be recognized. She has been a faithful visitor to numerous seniors and held hands with both young and old, who might otherwise be alone at their deaths. Margaret represents DVHS at the Palliative Care Rounds every Tuesday at SOGH. She sits vigil and assigns the referrals and requests to other Hospice Volunteers. Margaret plays piano for the people living at both Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place. For her dedication and years of service, Margaret was given a DVHS Lifetime Member ship in 2019.
STEPHEN HERSHEY, Director
Stephen and Dee Hershey arrived in Osoyoos in 2009 when Steve became the minister of Osoyoos United Church. After 40 years of service as a minister of the United Church of Canada, Steve began his retirement in 2013. The couple enjoys travel, dragonboat paddling, cycling, skiing, fitness classes, and volunteering at the Venables Theatre in Oliver. Steve has a lot of experience with those who are dying, understanding their needs and the needs of their families. He brings a willingness to share in the work to ensure that Peace, Gratitude & Hope will always be a part of the delivery of hospice care, palliative care, and end-of-life services. Steve is Chair of the Events and Communications Committee. He and Dee have four sons and seven grandchildren living across Canada.
Stephen and Dee Hershey arrived in Osoyoos in 2009 when Steve became the minister of Osoyoos United Church. After 40 years of service as a minister of the United Church of Canada, Steve began his retirement in 2013. The couple enjoys travel, dragonboat paddling, cycling, skiing, fitness classes, and volunteering at the Venables Theatre in Oliver. Steve has a lot of experience with those who are dying, understanding their needs and the needs of their families. He brings a willingness to share in the work to ensure that Peace, Gratitude & Hope will always be a part of the delivery of hospice care, palliative care, and end-of-life services. Steve is Chair of the Events and Communications Committee. He and Dee have four sons and seven grandchildren living across Canada.
RITA CRONE, Director
Rita was born and raised in central Saskatchewan. She has one son, three step- children and ten grandchildren. Rita is a Social Worker and spent the majority of her career working in Humboldt, SK in positions with Social Services and Mental Health. She worked as a Private Therapist, Speaker and Certified Stress & Wellness Coach from 1999 until 2013. Grief and bereavement counseling support has always been an area of special interest for Rita and after the death of her husband in 2006 she developed a deeper passion to work with those experiencing loss and grief. Rita is now semi-retired while continuing to work for Homewood Health.
In 2019 Rita moved to Osoyoos, following a life dream to live in the Okanagan Valley. She is becoming more involved with her new community through volunteer work including Desert Valley Hospice Services, which she loves. Rita is committed to doing her part to make our world a safer, gentler and more peaceful place to live
Rita was born and raised in central Saskatchewan. She has one son, three step- children and ten grandchildren. Rita is a Social Worker and spent the majority of her career working in Humboldt, SK in positions with Social Services and Mental Health. She worked as a Private Therapist, Speaker and Certified Stress & Wellness Coach from 1999 until 2013. Grief and bereavement counseling support has always been an area of special interest for Rita and after the death of her husband in 2006 she developed a deeper passion to work with those experiencing loss and grief. Rita is now semi-retired while continuing to work for Homewood Health.
In 2019 Rita moved to Osoyoos, following a life dream to live in the Okanagan Valley. She is becoming more involved with her new community through volunteer work including Desert Valley Hospice Services, which she loves. Rita is committed to doing her part to make our world a safer, gentler and more peaceful place to live
KIM LJUBIC, Director
After years of spending summers with our family in Osoyoos and after our big family home in Port Moody became a little too quiet, my husband and I moved to the town we have loved for many years. We moved here in 2021 and I have been enjoying getting to know the Town of Osoyoos as a citizen and I would like to start contributing to our community in the areas I have past experience in. I had volunteered with Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody since 2004 and as a volunteer I provided emotional support, companionship during end-of-life, and 1:1 bereavement support. I have worked with the Division of Cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital since 1986 beginning as a Medical Office Assistant and with experience, continuing education and time both my clinical and administrative responsibilities continued to grow. I was the Office Manager for the Division and then went on to serve the Head of the UBC Division of Cardiology as well as the Head of the VGH Division of Cardiology in an administrative capacity. During this time the clinical aspect of my position became more focused on the subspecialty areas that we worked in. I still currently work for the Division of Cardiology remotely and on a part-time basis. I have taken many post secondary courses focusing on palliative care, geriatric care, social work and psychology. I have especially enjoyed focusing my learning on peace and dignity at end-of-life as well as the lack of resources for end-of-life care in the homeless population. I look forward to contributing to the Dessert Valley Hospice Society Board as a member.
After years of spending summers with our family in Osoyoos and after our big family home in Port Moody became a little too quiet, my husband and I moved to the town we have loved for many years. We moved here in 2021 and I have been enjoying getting to know the Town of Osoyoos as a citizen and I would like to start contributing to our community in the areas I have past experience in. I had volunteered with Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody since 2004 and as a volunteer I provided emotional support, companionship during end-of-life, and 1:1 bereavement support. I have worked with the Division of Cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital since 1986 beginning as a Medical Office Assistant and with experience, continuing education and time both my clinical and administrative responsibilities continued to grow. I was the Office Manager for the Division and then went on to serve the Head of the UBC Division of Cardiology as well as the Head of the VGH Division of Cardiology in an administrative capacity. During this time the clinical aspect of my position became more focused on the subspecialty areas that we worked in. I still currently work for the Division of Cardiology remotely and on a part-time basis. I have taken many post secondary courses focusing on palliative care, geriatric care, social work and psychology. I have especially enjoyed focusing my learning on peace and dignity at end-of-life as well as the lack of resources for end-of-life care in the homeless population. I look forward to contributing to the Dessert Valley Hospice Society Board as a member.