Hi there. As a recent transplant from rural Ontario to downtown Victoria, I am starting the “next” stage of my long life.  I grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, the eldest of four kids. My father was an obstetrician (more about him later) my mother, a stay at home mom, and so so much more. Medical school at U of Toronto, residency in family medicine and practiced in small town Ontario for over 40 years.

My husband Doug was a true renaissance man.  An artist, farmer, maple syrup producer, hunter and fisherman, birdwatcher, mentor to many troubled youth, and finally director of a state-of-the-art palliative care program in our small town. He supervised the volunteers and established an on-call system for sudden deaths in our ER and in the community. 

Doug and I lived outside of town, and had a series of remote, off the grid cottages where we relaxed and enjoyed nature, hiking, hunting, and fishing. But most of my time was spent in my very busy medical practice.

 I delivered babies and cared for families through their life events, illnesses, and deaths. I took pride in my involvement with my patients and their families and formed life-long bonds with many of them. I cared for a number of four- generation families over the years. I described my practice as “pre-cradle to post-grave” describing the longitudinal aspect of family medicine. My special loves were obstetrical and palliative care, counselling, ER, and teaching.

There was also time for nursing homework, leadership as chief of staff at two hospitals over the years as well as teaching and mentoring of medical students and family practice residents.

Ongoing education is a vital part of any professional. I received extra training in obstetrics, in palliative care, chronic pain management, memory and dementia management and in teaching as well as attendance at many Society of Rural Physician and College of Family Practice education meetings. By doing many talks to local women’s groups, high school classes and church groups I learned so much more.
Over the years, I discovered that providing end-of-life care is as important and gratifying as my earlier work with young families and childbirth care. Many times, I noted the similarities in the work, the tools and the emotional impact with childbearing women and their families and in palliative care.

 On a personal note, I enjoy baking bread, travel, and photography. (I have joined the Victoria Camera Club) In the past, I loved to hike, canoe, kayak, and garden. I was involved in the maple syrup production on our farm as well.

 Doug developed an extremely aggressive form of ALS in 2016 and died (by MAiD) in January 2018. I took a leave of absence to care for him at home. After his death I went back to my practice briefly and retired fully in 2019.

My move to Victoria in 2024 brings me closer to family and a completely different way of life. I’m loving it!