meet ouR BOARD OF directors
LInda larson, president |
glen timbers, VICE 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.
LEAH FOREMAN, TREASURER
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.
David Chacon, director
I grew up in Mexico and identify myself as Mestizo with an Indigenous and Spanish ethnical heritage.
I believe in Diversity as an instrument to support people in their growth and not as a weapon to hurt ourselves and others. Therefore, I am committed to providing a respectful, safe and welcome space regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, socioeconomic condition, disability, or religion. I am ethical, caring and responsible. Overall, I have the capacity for empathy, connectedness, and respect, which allows me to earn people’s trust. Counselling should be a service available to anyone that needs it. 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.
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Glen Timbers began his career as an Environmental Health Officer in Public Health. At his time of retirement, he was the CEO for the United Church Health Services Society. During his career, he developed many skills but the ones that he values the most are in community involvement and development, Community Health and Economic Development and Strategic Planning. Glen's love of nature was a key factor in choosing to move to Oliver. He has two daughters and four grandchildren.
fiona wood, SECRETARY
Fiona Wood has lived in Oliver for 27 years. She has had a varied career including teacher, office administrator, education assistant, medical office receptionist, business owner, and school board trustee. She is an active volunteer with Oliver Kiwanis Club and the Red Cross Medical Loan Program. Fiona is also a trained Hospice Volunteer and serves Desert Valley Hospice Society on a number of committees such as the Events and Communications Committee, the Advance Care Planning team, and the Grief Group Support team. In 2019 Fiona received the Spirit of Oliver Individual Award, having been nominated by Desert Valley Hospice Society. Fiona has five children and five grandchildren.
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.
CHRISTINA tarasoff, director
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.
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
― Margaret Mead ―
― Margaret Mead ―