MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LINDA LARSON, 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.
MAUREEN (MO) DOERR, Vice-President
Maureen is a long-time resident of Oliver. She has held many volunteer roles and been part of several community groups. Mo has served as Emergency Social Services Coordinator for the Town of Oliver setting up evacuation centres for natural disasters, leading up to 10 volunteer; served as Secretary, Treasurer, President and Director of the Rotary Club of Oliver; coordinated and trained youth on toastmasters, etiquette, and interviewing in the Oliver Youth Ambassador Program for 20 years; was one of the 3 original creators of the Oliver Art Walk; served on the Oliver Christmas Light Up committee in 2009; and served on the Okanagan Correction Centre Citizen Advisory Board. Mo also served as a Oliver Town Councillor from October 2007 – October 2018.
CHRISTINA TERASOFF, Secretary
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.
KIM LJUBIC, Treasurer
After years of spending summers with our family in Osoyoos and after our big family home in Port Moody became a little too quiet, my husband and I moved to the town we have loved for many years. We moved here in 2021 and I have been enjoying getting to know the Town of Osoyoos as a citizen and I would like to start contributing to our community in the areas I have past experience in. I had volunteered with Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody since 2004 and as a volunteer I provided emotional support, companionship during end-of-life, and 1:1 bereavement support. I have worked with the Division of Cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital since 1986 beginning as a Medical Office Assistant and with experience, continuing education and time both my clinical and administrative responsibilities continued to grow. I was the Office Manager for the Division and then went on to serve the Head of the UBC Division of Cardiology as well as the Head of the VGH Division of Cardiology in an administrative capacity. During this time the clinical aspect of my position became more focused on the subspecialty areas that we worked in. I still currently work for the Division of Cardiology remotely and on a part-time basis. I have taken many post secondary courses focusing on palliative care, geriatric care, social work and psychology. I have especially enjoyed focusing my learning on peace and dignity at end-of-life as well as the lack of resources for end-of-life care in the homeless population. I look forward to contributing to the Dessert Valley Hospice Society Board as a member.
DIRECTORS
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.
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.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.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.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.
COLLEEN ANDERSON, Director
Colleen was raised in the Town of Osoyoos, BC. In 1988 she returned to the community of Oliver with her husband Garnet, where they raised their family and still currently reside and work.
Colleen’s past experience with being on local Boards has been: Beaver Lodge, Okanagan Portuguese Club, COPCS, and PL@SS.
Colleen recently completed the BC Alzheimer’s Society training as a Facilitator for Caregivers groups within Oliver and Osoyoos. She currently works as a Service Provider Contractor for CLBC and part time Volunteer Lead Coordinator for Park Drive church. Colleen and Garnet Home Share with two individuals and have been for the past 12 years.
RITA CRONE, Director
Rita was born and raised in central Saskatchewan. She has one son, three step- children and ten grandchildren. Rita is a Social Worker and spent the majority of her career working in Humboldt, SK in positions with Social Services and Mental Health. She worked as a Private Therapist, Speaker and Certified Stress & Wellness Coach from 1999 until 2013. Grief and bereavement counseling support has always been an area of special interest for Rita and after the death of her husband in 2006 she developed a deeper passion to work with those experiencing loss and grief. Rita is now semi-retired while continuing to work for Homewood Health.
In 2019 Rita moved to Osoyoos, following a life dream to live in the Okanagan Valley. She is becoming more involved with her new community through volunteer work including Desert Valley Hospice Services, which she loves. Rita is committed to doing her part to make our world a safer, gentler and more peaceful place to live