Setting the record straight
I share this information because there have been comments and assumptions lately about why I live where I do, and there is a much more personal story behind that address than most people could have known.
I didn't leave Colwood because I wanted to. About 18 months ago, our family went through something deeply traumatic. A friend and neighbour was struggling, and our family had been doing what we could to support him. Tragically, he died by suicide, and I was the person who found him. After that, staying in our home and on our street became incredibly difficult — everywhere I looked there were reminders of what had happened.
I blamed myself for not staying with him on his first night alone after coming back from rehab after 42 days. I blamed myself for not knowing fully what he went through while at rehab, although we kept in touch, and for not being sure how to help him when he came back. But mostly, I blame myself for not checking on him sooner that next day. I live with this grief every day.
After much counselling, for my own well-being and for my family, I knew I needed to leave the street. But we didn't go far. We temporarily moved as close as we could to Colwood, just on the Langford side of the boundary near the service entrance of Olympic View, after being unsuccessful at finding a house that would work for our family in Colwood — we had sold our home and had to find something. So moving wasn't about leaving Colwood. It was about leaving a place connected to an incredibly painful experience and finding a way to move forward.
Colwood is still home in my heart — it's where I grew up, where we raised our family, and the community I have had the privilege of serving. I've continued the work Colwood entrusted me with while living just across the border for the past year, and no one would have known any different that I didn't live where I once lived. I still showed up and advocated for the community of Colwood, and I still came with the homework done. Nothing changed. We continue to look for the right home to move back to Colwood.
Until then, an invisible municipal boundary doesn't change where my roots are, the community I care about, or the commitment I have made to serving it.
There is a story behind every address. This is mine. Let's be careful about judging people when we don't know their story — an address, a decision, or a moment in someone's life rarely tells you everything they have been through. There is a story behind every person. Kindness costs us nothing.
My Vancouver Island story began in 1989, when my father’s military service brought our family across the country from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria. I attended Dunsmuir Middle School and Belmont High School, and over the years have called Esquimalt, Colwood and Langford home. The West Shore is where I grew up, raised my family, built my career and became deeply involved in my community.
I've been married for 28 years and I'm the proud mom of three daughters. Family is a big part of who I am — along with Joey, our adorable Cavapoo.
Over more than 25 years, I've built a career across the private sector, provincial government, non-profit organizations and Island Health. Much of my work has involved supporting senior leaders, navigating complex organizations and helping turn decisions into action.
I also believe good leadership means continuing to learn. I'm currently completing my Master of Arts in Executive Leadership at Royal Roads University and have completed graduate education in Values-Based Leadership and Change Management, along with education in Local Government Administration and Public Administration.
Community service has been a constant throughout my life. I've volunteered for many years in causes that matter to me, and for the past four years I've had the privilege of serving as a Colwood City Councillor.
All of those experiences — as a wife, mom, professional, volunteer, student and Councillor — shape how I serve. I listen, I do my homework, I ask questions, and I'm willing to speak up when something deserves a closer look.
After four years on Council, I know there is more work to do. I'm asking for the opportunity to keep doing it.
