That pretty much sums me up, but admittedly it is pretty bare bones.

I have three sons, three grandkids, I was a Parks Canada brat until I was 12 (we moved around a lot) and have lived nearly my entire life here in the valley. This is home, no matter which part of the valley my boots have set down in.

I went to DTSS, graduated in (yikes!) 1987, I am fiercely protective of those I love and believe you always stand up for what you believe in. I am a journalist (though not currently committing journalism) and photographer, I have been a youth worker, a rancher, a waitress, an office manager, and when I was very young, I tried to sell encyclopedia sets door to door. That career didn’t quite take off.

I ran for Area G director in 2022, a bid I lost to Roberta Schnider, a most worthy opponent. And while losing stung, during that campaign period my husband and I moved to Invermere in what I would call an unexpected but positive change in situation. So when a position came up for DOI councillor, it seemed like the natural progression of things. Even when I had an address outside of the boundary, I have been rambling around Invermere for most of my life between school, work, kids and play.

I’ve volunteered with several Columbia Valley organizations over the years including the Summit Youth Centre Hub (I ran it for several years, then stepped back and sat on the board), the Columbia Valley Youth Network, The CV Food Bank and Christmas Bureau, The Columbia Valley Recreation Planning Initiative and The CV Citizens on Patrol (who nominated me for one of the honours I am most proud of, The Solicitor General’s Community Service and Crime Prevention award).

I seem to have also had a foot in with the governmental workings of most of the valley communities in one way or another for over two decades.

As a journalist, I was in contact with various departments of the RDEK, District of Invermere and Village of Radium on a regular basis. The staff of each were always incredible to deal with, making sure I understood how various departments worked, the process for bylaws, zoning, public hearings and so many other topics. Before I even considered being a part of the process, whether running for Area G director or DOI councillor, I was getting an education in it.

As an Advisory Planning Commission member, my understanding and knowledge grew; and as an alternate director, it was important I knew what would be expected of me should I need to step up. Once again staff was brilliant, as was Area G Director Gerry Wilkie, who never failed to encourage me to learn more about the role. I sat on the Area G Advisory Planning Commission for many years with first Klara Trescher and then Gerry, and was Gerry’s alternate director for his last three terms.
I am proud to know that I was a tiny part of the local government process. It was a quiet role, but one I am honoured to have played.
No matter what job I have had, the parts that made me the happiest and most fulfilled were the things that meant I was of service to my community.