OUR BOARD

Chair

"I first became involved with the Huron Shores Hospice through volunteering and fundraising opportunities, both personally and professionally. I have been part of the Bruce County Community since 2005 and since have made Bruce County my official home.  

I wanted to always do more with the hospice and joining the board to be able to help the community has always been a goal of mine. As most, I have seen my share of death and dying with dignity, compassion and surrounding love should be available to all is my true belief."

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Vice Chair

"The compassionate support I received from Huron Shores Hospice after the passing of my younger brother, Troy, in 2019 was instrumental in my healing journey. Through their Grief Recovery Program, I found the comfort and strength I needed during an incredibly challenging time. This experience inspired me to give back, and in 2020, I became a Comfort Care volunteer.

With a 30-year career in education behind me, I am dedicating my time and energy to supporting the Huron Shores Hospice Board. I am deeply aware of the challenges families face when caring for loved ones at home, and I am committed to ensuring that our facility continues to provide the essential support and care that families in our community need.

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It is an honour to contribute to an organization that has made such a significant impact on my life and the lives of many others."

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Treasurer

"I became aware of Community Hospices in 2020 when my Aunt who had been diagnosed with Cancer decided  to decline treatments and go to a Hospice.  I was amazed at the love and care she and our family was given by Hospice staff and volunteers.

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My background has involved Leadership and Management of people and resources to deliver Contemporary Police Services and Community Safety Initiatives in rural communities in Huron and Bruce Counties.  I have also participated as a Director on Community Organization’s Services Board of Directors in the past. 

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I am pleased and honoured to participate as a volunteer with the Huron Shores Hospice."

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Founding Director/Secretary

“My involvement in hospice came from the awkwardness around a number of close family deaths. The experience lacked compassion and dignity.

I knew there had to be a better way and recognized the gaps in community care. My desire to make death and dying easier for others led me to the steering committee, which founded Huron Shores Hospice.

Our community members now have the option to come into our residential hospice and receive 24/7 quality, compassionate and dignified care. They can also use our variety of community programs supporting grief, end-of-planning and hosted Death Cafes.

I am incredibly humbled by the community support and very proud of the team that makes the hospice such a special place for families.”

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Director

Pat O’Connor currently serves as a Constituency Manager in Saugeen Shores, Ontario. With a professional background that includes roles as a Director of Sales and Marketing and Manager of Network Solutions, he has developed strong leadership and strategic skills.

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A passionate advocate for community service, Pat believes in the power of local governance and civic engagement. His goal is to make a positive impact in the community by fostering connections and supporting initiatives that enhance the lives of those around him.

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Director

"With over two decades experience managing both Long Term Care and Retirement homes I have gained a deep understanding of the challenges and complexities surrounding end of life care; witnessing countless individuals navigating their final journey.  

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In 2023 when my own mother received a life limiting diagnosis, we were grateful for the opportunity to experience firsthand, the care, compassion and dignity offered by hospice. Our time at Huron Shores Hospice created an environment of peace and comfort leaving an immeasurable impact on our family during an extremely difficult time.

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I am truly honoured to work alongside this dedicated team and eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to support this vital service within our local community."

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Director

"When I found out that HSH was looking for someone with a background in law I decided to step up.  I have not practiced in many years however. I believe that I can be a support to the dedicated team that profoundly impacts lives every day."

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Director

"I have been a laboratory geneticist for 30 years, directing diagnostic labs across Canada and the United States. In 2010 and 2011, I experienced two significant losses, which led me to seek bereavement support for myself and my teenage daughter and ultimately to volunteer as a peer bereavement support facilitator with Bereaved Families of Ontario – York Region.

In 2015, I returned to school to begin a degree in Thanatology from King’s University College at Western University, adding a second major to the undergraduate degree I originally earned in 1987. Upon completing my degree in the spring of 2021 and having recently returned to Kincardine where I grew up after 35 years away, I applied to become a Grief Recovery Specialist with Huron Shores Hospice. I’m excited and honoured to work with Huron Shores Hospice providing bereavement support to the communities we serve."

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Director

Keith Battler has been a local real estate agent for 36 years and he and his wife have raised their two children in this community. Keith chose to join the board because he and his family benefited from the Hospice when his sister-in-law passed away there. His wife, Linda, has been on the fundraising committee for a number of years and has seen what a great team it is here at Huron Shores Hospice and how valuable it is to the community.

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Director

"Hi, I'm Stephanie, I have worked in the Long Term Care/Retirement sector for over 25 years in various leadership roles. Over the years, I have witnessed many people at end-of-life and I am passionate about quality care. So, when I saw that Huron Shores Hospice was looking for board members, I was interested, knowing that their mission is to “To provide quality, compassionate end-of-life care in a home like environment” this resonated with me, because we all deserve this. 

I look forward to being on the board, helping to make a difference."

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Director

"My background was working in large teaching hospitals. I had a wonderful career so when I retired in 2019 and moved up to the Grey-Bruce area, I wanted to help others and give back to the community. With Huron Shores, I started as a Comfort Care Volunteer and now co-facilitate Death Cafes. I also facilitate numerous bereavement groups for the VON.

I was involved with the Simcoe County Hospice in Barrie when they opened their doors in 2009. We provided them with their Emergency Plans and many years later my mother became a resident. It was there that I experienced firsthand how loving, caring, and magical Hospice is. Not only for the dying resident but also for the family members."

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Director

"As a Bruce County resident and business leader with over 20 years of experience in telecommunications, senior living, and community-focused work, I'm passionate about creating meaningful moments and fostering a supportive community. I've long admired the compassionate care Huron Shores Hospice provides, and its values deeply resonate with my own. It's a privilege to contribute to a team so dedicated to ensuring end-of-life is met with the same beauty, dignity and love as the beginning."

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Director

Jacques Major is a communications and technology leader with over 20 years of experience supporting education and public sector organizations. As the Manager of Business Development at SchoolBundle, he helps school districts unify and modernize their communications and community engagement (staff, students, parents and community.) He brings a strong foundation in governance, strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and stakeholder relations to the Huron Shores Hospice Board.

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