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.
RITA CRONE, Vice President
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
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.
CHERYL GROVES, Treasurer
I was born in the Lower Mainland where I married and had 2 children. Our family has now grown with six grandchildren. I started volunteering with the Hospice in Surrey until I retired and moved to the Green Lake Area. I started volunteering again with Hospice in the 100 Mile area, but more in the fund raising, following up with individuals whose family member had died.
In 2021 I moved to Osoyoos as the cold was getting to us. I am now back at Hospice in a different capacity. This is now our home and I hope to help people understand the importance of Hospice.
DIRECTORS
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.
MAUREEN (MO) DOERR, Director
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.
Deanne Gray, Director at Large Deanna Gray is a Retired Psychiatric Nurse. Deanna for the past 8 years has been working as the Manager of Health Services for SOAICL in Oliver (retired last October). She worked at Sunnybank in Oliver in the dementia unit and Country Squire in Osoyoos. Deana for the past 40 years has been married to Ron Gray. They have 2 children, Ryan Gray and Megan TeBrinke and 5 Grandchildren, Stevie, Riley, Sawyer, Hadley & Calder. They are also proud owners of a 6 year old black retriever name Jake. Deanna enjoys travelling and camping but she tries to spend as much time as possible with her grandbabies.
Sarita Zugazaga, Director
Born in Spain and raised across Venezuela, the U.S., and Canada, Sarita spent nearly 30 years as a real estate appraiser in Vancouver, working on projects ranging from residential homes to major commercial developments.
Now retired in the Okanagan, she devotes her time to helping others and celebrating the arts. Sarita volunteers with the local food bank and the Rotary’s backpack program, supporting those facing food insecurity. A dedicated quilter, she creates and donates quilts to charitable causes and is also active with the Osoyoos Museum and Art Gallery.