Surrey Hospice Society Directors and Staff

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Board of Directors & Staff Members

The Surrey Hospice Society has a governance Board with 10 directors and 7 staff members drawn from a range of expertise and skills. Directors are elected annually by the membership of the Surrey Hospice Society at the Annual General Meeting, and they assume fiduciary and philosophical responsibility for the charitable entity legally registered as the Surrey Hospice Society.

Staff Contact List

To contact our staff by email.
PLease feel free to contact us at anytime

Marion Brandner, Executive Director	marion@surreyhospice.com
Donna Burt, Financial Administrator	admin@surreyhospice.com
Barbara Morningstar, Program Director	barbara@surreyhospice.com
Joy Dockrey, Community Client Coordinator	joy@surreyhospice.com
Rosemary Brown, Clinical Counselor	rosemary@surreyhospice.com
Lori Megley-Best, Clinical Counselor	lori@surreyhospice.com
Donna Chubb, Thrift Store Manager	dchubb@telus.net

Directors' and Staff Members' Bios

Judi Huta, President

Judi Huta, a board member of the Surrey Hospice Society since 2004 resides in South Surrey. A refugee from Hungary, she fled to BC, grew up in Ontario, only to return to beautiful BC in 1990 with her husband and 2 sons. Her passion for “growing people, teams and building strong, safe communities” is evident in her personal and professional life over the past 25 years.

She is currently involved with the Surrey Hospice Society Thrift Store, Junior Achievement, Surrey/ Delta Soroptomists, Surrey Chamber ‘s Annual Police of the Year Awards and is self employed as a personal/professional coach, group facilitator parent educator, and program director. She has extensive experience working with at-risk youth, children in need of protection, people with multi-barriers, and facilitating groups for adult learners.

Having balance is key to living a full life” so Judi also works out regularly, reads, listens to music, walks on the beach and is forever grateful for her kids, her husband of 34 years, and the many wonderful friends she has in her life.

Working with the Board and staff at Surrey Hospice Society to bring enhanced community awareness and support for bereavement and palliative care is a challenge she strongly believes will be overcome through the team’s creativity, commitment and community connections. Through sharing the passion and heart Hospice Society staff and volunteers have with everyone we meet each day, Judi is convinced Surrey Hospice Society will grow and be able to meet increased service demands.

Amy Hennessy, Vice President

Amy is Terasen Gas Community Relations Manager responsible for the Coastal region. Her work includes strategic stakeholder relations, business development and community investment. Amy has been instrumental in developing Terasen’s public safety education program in partnership with the provincial fire services and schools throughout the province.

Amy’s previous roles with Terasen include communications and emergency planning. Amy conceived and developed the BC Utilities Year 2000 Forum, a working forum comprised of the province’s utilities. Amy has been with Terasen Gas since 1996. Amy’s experience includes work as a freelance copywriter developing strategy-based marketing and advertising materials for advertising agencies and corporations. She has worked as a Creative Director and Copywriter in San Francisco, California, developing strategic plans and creating advertising for companies and brands. Amy has also served as Regional Manager for the Master Builder’s Association in Geraldton, Western Australia.

Amy is Vice President of the Parent Advisory Committee at her daughter’s school and a board member for the Langley Chamber of Commerce. She and her daughter are Shorekeepers in South Surrey.

Brian Clarke, Past President

Brian Clarke joined the Board of Surrey Hospice Society in the fall of 2001. Brian has had a varied and interesting life as a sailor, soldier, policeman, pilot, and horseman. More recently, he has taken up fly fishing. Brian has been active in Rotary and other community organizations. He and his wife, Adele, live in Surrey. Brian has 3 adult children and 10 grandchildren.

Brian was attracted to the hospice movement after seeing the excellent care that his father received at the end of his life as a palliative care patient.

Marjorie Walters, Treasurer

Marjorie is an accountant, now in her 17th year with Manning Elliott, Chartered Accountants. She has a Business Certificate from Kwantlen University College and is a Simply Accounting Certified Consultant. She admires the work of the Surrey Hospice Society and volunteers, and has been involved in volunteer work for the White Rock Millennium Rotary Club. Having lived in Surrey for most of her life, she now resides in White Rock with her husband, Jeff, and their three cats.

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Janis Foster, Secretary

Surrey resident Janis Foster is a freelance writer and the editor of Sounder Profiles, a monthly magazine circulated in South Surrey, White Rock, and Cloverdale. She was a reporter for the Langley Times for 10 years. Janis was formerly on the board of the Langley Hospice Society and has been a member of the Rotary Wine Festival Committee for the past two years. Janis and her husband Roy are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and the excited grand-parents of twin boys.

Thomas Crean, Director

In 1978, a death in the family required Tom to leave school during his final year of a Bachelors degree program in Philosophy at UBC, assuming the presidency of his family’s third generation family funeral home, Kearney Funeral Services Ltd., which Tom’s grand-father, Tom Kearney, started in Vancouver in 1906. In 1979, Tom bought Columbia Chapel in New Westminster. Tom and his brother, Michael, purchased Royal Oak, Woodlawn, S. Bowell and Sons from Loewen Group in 1991, and in 2000, opened a new branch office in Surrey.

Tom became involved in consumer advocacy and public education early in his professional career, as B.C. had little regulation with respect to funeral service. Tom serves locally on the board of several civic and professional organizations. Married to Jo-Ann and father of three, Tom is an avid songwriter/musician playing the guitar and banjo. He also enjoys hobbies of tennis, swimming, skiing, and fishing in his spare time.

David Smiling, Director

David is Director of Development at InUnison Technology Services - a joint venture of Envision Financial and First Calgary Credit Unions. As an IT Executive and management consultant he has worked throughout the US, Central America, and the UK.

David was born in Belize and moved to Canada at the age of 10. It was 100 degrees in Belize when he left and 40 below in Calgary when he arrived -- in the middle of a blizzard. One of the first things he learned in Canada was that underneath that soft fluffy snow is hard cold slippery ice which, if one is not very careful could result in a fall and break 10 year old limbs.

David graduated high school in Suva, Fiji, took a year to travel Europe and Northern Africa and returned to Canada to study Economics at University of Calgary. In 1999, David was appointed Honorary Consul General for Belize by the Prime Minister. David volunteers as a Big Brother and he and his little Brother (who is also named David) are avid golfers, bike riders, and "guy" movie goers.

David put himself through university by playing the saxophone in a jazz quartet and married his favourite groupie and they had a daughter. He is looking forward to helping the Surrey Hospice Society continue to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.

Nita Hollick, Director

Nita spent her childhood in the Rocky Mountains of Kimberley where she indulged her passion for riding horses.

It was in Grade 10 when Nita met her future husband, Gary. A favourite hobby of garage sales turned into a business for the young couple and they opened a successful second hand store known as The Haggle House. Shortly after the sale of The Haggle House, Nita and Gary took over a restaurant and a convenience store – which became a family affair, involving parents, brothers, and sisters. Following the birth of their sons in 1987 and 1989, along with the closing of the Cominco mine in 1990, the couple turned their business ventures towards Calgary. Life in Calgary was an exciting time, as Nita started a day care and was able to stay home and raise the children.

Five years passed and the family packed up their home to move to Vancouver. Since 1995 Nita has spent most of her career in the sales and service industry and, along with husband Gary, has been a strong advocate of the benefits in Rotary. In 2004/05, she served as First Lady for Rotary District 5050. Nita has held a lifelong mission to remove and overcome obstacles, with laughter always prevalent.

Nita and Gary enjoy the company of their teenage sons, Denny and Corey. Now is the perfect time for Nita to share her joy, experiences, and energy, as there is nothing more fulfilling than to give.

Cindy Poppy, Director

Cindy is a local realtor in the White Rock - South Surrey area since the 1990's.

Venturing into all avenues of Real Estate, from marketing to senior and single housing projects, and working with buyers and sellers throughout the lower mainland, she has experienced notable success as evident in most of her clients becoming her friends.

Studying both in Montreal and Vancouver, she obtained a degree in Business Management and then a Real Estate License. As a result of being conscientious in her work ethics, Cindy experienced many excellent employment opportunities, primarily in the Human Resource and Marketing fields.

Cindy and her 12 year old daughter enjoy an active life in the Greater Vancouver area.

Mary Martin, Honourary Director (Councillor, City of Surrey)

Since her election to Surrey City Council in 2005, Councillor Mary Martin has worked hard to bring Surrey’s diverse community together. Councillor Martin is dedicated to ensuring the adequate and proper care of City residents, and has used her 20 years of experience in the medical field to lead highly successful fundraising campaigns for hospital foundations.

Councillor Martin’s involvement in community work began while raising her three children. She has served as Co-Chair of the first PAC at Brookside Elementary in Newton, as Chair of the Parish Education Committee Board at Cloverdale Catholic School, and as Secretary and Treasurer of Kids Help Phone, which she helped launch in South Surrey/White Rock

As a Surrey resident for the past 17 years, Councillor Martin, her husband Tony and family feel blessed to live in such a beautiful, dynamic city and believe that community service is the key to building any great city.

Marion Brandner, Executive Director

Marion joined the Surrey Hospice Society on January 9th, 2006 following 3 years as Executive Director for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, and before that 3 years as Director of Business Development with the Burnaby Board of Trade.

Marion brings with her extensive community and business contacts as well as event planning and business development expertise to help expand the Surrey Hospice Society. “It’s all about building relationships and trust. I would far rather do business or get involved with a person or an organization I know and trust before going out and looking for new ones. That takes time – it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Marion completed the volunteer training program (13 sessions) and has a much clearer understanding of what our work is all about. “I have a whole new appreciation for our 120+ volunteers, and the amazing work they do. This is a very carefully planned and prepared training program and resource. Most volunteer trainees find they have ‘issues’ to deal with and work through before they can move on to helping others. It definitely is for the individual who is selfless, compassionate and bestows a loving, neutral presence. They are truly ‘Companions for the Journey’ whether it be with someone with a life threatening illness in the Palliative Care unit, or the Hospice Residence, or with a bereaved family member trying to cope with a traumatic loss. Profound and sacred events happen every day in this work. It’s something we expect yet respond to in wonder and awe.

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Barbara Morningstar, Program Director

Barbara Morningstar, Program Director, joined the staff of the Society in December, 2003. She oversees the hospice programs, program staff and volunteers. Barbara has seen a lot of change in the 15 years (plus) since she first entered the hospice field. She has a wide range of experience in the hospice arena as well as in program development and volunteer support. Her experience initially began with White Rock Hospice in the early nineties. Barbara’s heart is firmly planted in the hospice field and she is ardent in her understanding and support of the hospice philosophy of care.

Barbara has served as a hospice board director, at White Rock, and her background includes experience in the performing arts, real estate, health care and athletics. Well respected by her colleagues, Barbara will continue to be directly responsible for the Society's volunteer program and will play a central role as the Society’s programs are expanded and new programs introduced.

Donna Burt, Financial Administrator

Donna came to Surrey Hospice Society through our Volunteer Education Program in Spring of 2001. Having suffered the loss of 2 brothers, and her daughter, Donna wanted to walk alongside others traveling the same journey.

After a year as a client volunteer and office support volunteer, Donna was presented with the opportunity to join the staff.

Donna’s title does not do justice to the role she plays with the Society. Since coming aboard, Donna’s job has shifted from 15 hours to 32 hours per week. Her duties have increased to include all of the Society’s and Community Thrift Store general accounting and banking, donor recognition, editor of the newsletter , and website design/supervision. Two other major roles Donna fills is as coordinator of the office volunteer program, program administration and general support for the Society’s hospice, bereavement, and volunteer programs. As well, Donna serves as administrative assistant to the Society’s Executive Director and is a member of the Development Committee.

With a wealth of life experience and previous employment as the Administrative Assistant for the Vice President in a large Ontario hospital, Donna is well equipped for her present position.

Joy Dockrey, Community Client Coordinator

Joy is with us, part- time, as the Client Coordinator in the Community assessing the hospice clients needs in the home, supporting the family units and volunteers who will partner them. Joy prepared a short biography for us to share with you.

Cree name: Cah Chi Tay Pinesis “Small Black Thunderbird” Birth mother was Cree, birth father was Irish. Adopted at age 5 by non-natives and raised in Victoria, BC. Adopted again by the Haida Nation; Masset, B.C. Raven Clan Haida name: Skil Kaadangaas “Fairy of Knowledge”

Professional Journey: been a public schoolteacher, a counsellor for imprisoned adult native male survivors of residential schools, a mediator, an investigator of child and youth fatalities, manager for Aboriginal social workers and Vancouver’s first Aboriginal problem gambling counsellor; a Victoria Hospice volunteer for 13 years; sat on several boards of agencies for native health and Aboriginal children and families; also a member and manager of the BC Lower Mainland Aboriginal Veterans.

Personal Journey: is a grandmother (11 yr old grandson), mother, Harley rider for 15 years and crew member of husband’s Harley dragbike race team; is a proud active Aboriginal woman no longer ashamed of her heritage. Her story includes her journey of healing, of finding her identity and of how she worked to become that bridge between her two worlds of Native and Non-native that her elder advised. Joy hopes that as a positive healthy role model she can be an inspiration to youth and others who are on their path of self identity.

Rosemary Brown, Clinical Counselor

Rosemary Brown recently joined the Surrey Hospice team as a Clinical Counsellor for palliative and bereavement clients. She has a Masters degree in Counselling from UVic and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, until recently in private practice. Her interest in and calling to hospice work developed when she volunteered at Victoria Hospice. Rosemary "counts it a sacred priviledge to walk with hurting folk even a little bit along their journeys in the valley of the shadow of death."

She comes to us from Nanaimo Hospice where she counselled adults and some youth (individually and in school settings.) Her background as a school counsellor (grades 1-10) proved beneficial in the youth work.

Rosemary has also taken pastoral care training at Carey Theological College (UBC) and encourages holistic healing (physical, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual) for her clients. She is very sensitive to the variety of cultural and faith dimensions represented in this community.

After many years on the Island, a move to the mainland brought Rosemary and her husband Terry closer to family on both sides, including their little grandson, Christian. For other fun besides being "Nana", Rosemary enjoys singing (especially with elderly folk), nature walks and scrapbooking.

Lori Megley-Best, Clinical Counselor

Lori has been on our team since September 1, 2008. She and Rosemary share the positon of grief counselor here at the Surrey Hospice Society. Lori has a Masters degree in Pastoral Counselling and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Her expertise is derived from her experience as a school teacher in Special Education, an educational consultant with the Fetal Alchohol Project in Winnipeg and as a staff associate minister for the United Church of Canada.

She has worked at Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody as a grief counsellor and bereavement co-ordinator as well as journeyed with those experiencing grief and loss in the pastoral setting for the past 10 years. Lori has learned that she receives more than she gives in her work and considers the experience of sharing in others' stories of loss and life a deep privilege. She is excited to come on to our team at a time of growth and possibilities.

Lori is the mother of 4 teenage boys and loves to spend her time outdoors walking, biking and cross country skiing. She and her family have lived in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba as well as in beautiful B.C.

Donna Chubb, Thrift Store Manager

Donna has been the Manager of the Thrift Store since April 2005. Her vast experience in the retail sector and her volunteer work in the community was a good fit for the store. Her past experience with several different retailers has given her a wide range of experiences and knowledge.

At the time of her employment Donna was attending Douglas College, and graduated in June 2006 with her Diploma in Community Social Work.

The skills and learning practices she developed while attending college has proven to be very useful with the diverse clientele that supports the store. Her easy and light hearted manner is appreciated by the volunteers whom she supports and encourages to step out of their comfort zone and try something new, as well as to have fun and enjoy the task they are doing.

Lorraine Marlow, Thrift Store Assistant Manager

Lorraine has lived and worked in the Surrey area for the past thirty years, originally from friendly Winnipeg, Manitoba. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts Degree from SFU, Lorraine spearheaded her own business, a wedding and portrait studio in Surrey, which she owned and operated for 15 years. When a personal change happened, Lorraine decided on a career change as well. Lorraine worked for the Salvation Army thrift stores for ten years as both a staff member and manager. While she was there she returned to school and received a Medical Laboratory Assistant Diploma. Lorraine worked briefly at Surrey Memorial Hospital but realized her heart truly was in the thrift store business.

Lorraine joined the Thrift Store in February of this year as Assistant to the Manager. Her years of retail experience is an asset to the store. As part of her job, Lorraine has taken on the task of Volunteer Coordinator, recruiting and supporting new and seasoned volunteers.

Working alongside Donna and the volunteers, Lorraine seeks to maintain the high quality standards the store has implemented and pursues a steady growth in proceeds which greatly supports both charities.

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