I was born and raised in and around Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Worked in a medical clinic as a clerk until my first son was born.
We moved to Kelowna in 1971. In the early years in Kelowna, we skied all Winter and camped all Summer with our 2 sons. When our sons went off to pre-school, I began my volunteer career.
I was first the Secretary, and then the Treasurer, for the Kelowna Pre-School Association. As a stay at home mom I became a day care mom, and became the Treasurer for the Kelowna Family Day Care Association.
Later when our children were in Cubs and Scouts, I was the Secretary for our local pack. I went back into the workforce when our youngest son started school. I spent the next 25 years working for Canada Post as a letter carrier. During those years I was both the Secretary and Treasurer of the CUPW local. As well, the Kelowna lettercarriers spent a year doing a pilot project working with the “suits” from Ottawa; and I was the Secretary for the local during that year.
I joined the Kelowna Hospital Auxiliary in 1986, where I am a life member. I volunteered in Kindergarten Tours, where kindergarten students were given a tour of the children’s ward of the hospital, and got to see a cast put on and taken off “Sylvester the cat.” Then I went back to work, and I had to leave this position.
The Auxiliary ran bingo every second week for a period of 7 years, I was the Convenor as well as the Treasurer for the first 4 years. At the same time, I was the 2nd Vice-President, Vice President, President and Past President of the Auxiliary. After my years on the executive, I took over the rental of baby car seats for a period of 3 years. I spent 5 years as the Secretary before once again becoming the Second Vice-President.
I retired from Canada Post in 2009, and in October of that year, I became the Okanagan Mainline Area Representative for BCAHA. Following my 2 years as the Area Representative, I took on the Treasurer’s position for another 5 years. During that time I digitized all the BCAHA minute books, and ran 2 very successful lottery events where each event netted approximately $15,000 for BCAHA.
In 2010, when my husband developed dementia, we moved to the Lower Mainland to be closer to family. In the Fall of 2010, I joined the Mission Health Care Auxiliary and in 2012 became the Corresponding Secretary, then the 2nd Vice-President for 1 year, and I am now the 1st Vice-President.
I recently took over as Convenor of the Emergency Cupboard, and prior to that I worked with the TV committee. For the past 2 years I have chaired the Ad Hoc Committee to update the Constitution and Bylaws, and the Policies & Procedures.
Some time ago, I took up needlework and embroidery, making cross-stitch pictures for each of my 3 grandchildren. I also love to read many genres; everything from science fiction to the BC Society Act.