Our
Story
Who is Surrey Hospice Society?
At Surrey Hospice Society, we walk alongside individuals and families facing life-limiting illness and grief. Through the dedication of our staff and volunteers, we provide compassionate emotional, practical, and spiritual support — ensuring that no one has to navigate this journey alone.
Our Mission
We believe one of our most important roles is to provide well-trained, compassionate volunteers who walk beside families in times of need. As our programs expand and our community grows, our mission remains simple: to ensure that every person in Surrey facing illness, loss, or grief feels supported, respected, and never alone.
The Community We Serve
Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, Surrey is the region’s second most populous city, home to over 535,000 residents who speak more than 110 languages. Each of Surrey’s six communities — Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Guildford, Newton, South Surrey, and Whalley — brings unique strengths and cultural traditions.
Our city’s diversity enriches our work. At Surrey Hospice Society, we are committed to reflecting this diversity by offering inclusive, culturally sensitive support for every family we serve.
An overview of the History of Surrey Hospice Society
Surrey Hospice Society began in the mid-1980s, when psychologist Dennis Boyd and a small group of volunteers supported residents through end-of-life experiences. Inspired by early hospice societies in BC, a core group of volunteers — Anneliese Lomer, Sharon Myhre, Marilyn Hall, Ivy Hubbard, and Diane Sharpe — became our first board of directors.
By 1986, Surrey Hospice Society gained official status, working hand in hand with medical professionals at Surrey Memorial Hospital to create a community-based model of hospice care. Meetings were often held around kitchen tables, fueled by dedication and compassion.
Since then, we’ve grown into a thriving organization with an Executive Director, grief counsellors, a volunteer coordinator, and a large team of trained volunteers. Today, we serve hundreds of individuals and families each year, offering support at the end of life as well as grief and bereavement care for children, teens, and adults.
Our team consists of a board of directors, heart centered office staff, and amazing volunteers who help make a difference in our community and the lives of many.
Pash Brar
President of the Board
Shara Nixon
Vice President of the Board
Rebecca Smith
Executive Director
Our Team
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Kulwinder Saini
Director
Parm Matharu
Director
Rachel Galvin
Director
Bilal Cheema
Director
Josephine Chuahan
Director
Budhi Kapoor
Director
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Linda Szentes
Volunteer & Public Outreach Coordinator
Eunice Kim
Accounting
Stephanie Lee
Administrative Assistant
Andrew Bexson
Grief & Bereavement Counsellor (MPCC, RQS)
Manisha Cheema
Grief Support, Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Become a Member
Members of the Surrey Hospice Society are equivalent to shareholders of a private corporation in that they elect the Board of Directors of the Society from their midst and bestow on the Directors the responsibility for ensuring that the Society act in accordance with all legal requirements and in the best interests of the membership. The responsibility of the members is contained in the Society Act of BC.