Carole Murray
President
Carole was born and raised in Vancouver before moving to North Vancouver. After teaching for 28 years, she retired to her beloved, longtime family home in Halfmoon Bay, B.C. Carole joined her local Auxiliary in 2007 so that she could work with seniors at the Totem Lodge Extended Care facility. Little did she know that this initial step would lead to roles as Publicity Officer, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Halfmoon Bay Branch, and then various executive positions, including that of President, of the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary. In addition to her Auxiliary service, she earned Life Membership in the Canadian Power & Sail Squadron and assumed local, provincial and then national chairmanship of Youth Programmes on behalf of the CPS. Carole has a son and daughter, and five lovely grandchildren that keep her busy. She enjoys traveling and has driven across many provinces, with her dog as companion, for family weddings and get-togethers. As the BCAHA Vice President she is looking forward to meeting all of the Auxiliaries across the Province.
Diane Thornton
Past President
A longtime member of the Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Diane has held various executive positions and currently serves as Past President, she also volunteers at her Auxiliary’s popular Penny Pincher Thrift Store. Born in Vancouver, Diane grew up in Powell River and left after high school to attend UBC. After graduation, she worked as a Customs Broker, a career that spanned over 40 years. Diane is married to Larry Gillott, they have no children but are grandparents to six grandchildren who all live in Australia (“I skipped the middle step,” she notes). Diane and Larry enjoy travelling the world, taking cruises and venturing out in their fifth-wheel RV. They also enjoy square dancing, gardening and playing with their two cute Golden Doodles. Diane comes from a family of Auxiliary volunteers. Her mother was a member of the Powell River Health-Care Auxiliary and her two sisters are current members. Volunteering keeps her active and engaged, and she sees her BCAHA executive role as an opportunity to further contribute and connect with others.
Ian Burke
Vice President
Ian was born in Powell River, attended Henderson, Brooks and Max Cameron schools, moving to Victoria in 1974, he joined the Canadian Forces in the Administration Branch and was initially posted to Pacific Region Headquarters in Victoria. Ian spent 14 years on the West Coast in various postings.
In December of 1987 he was transferred to the Air Force and moved to Winnipeg at Air Command Headquarters in Personnel Section, a position he held until he was posted to the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC) Winnipeg for three years as a Military Career Counsellor.
On return from the CFRC in August 1997, he moved into Air Force training, responsible for officer training for the Air Force Reserves. On 1 January 2001 he was promoted to Major and appointed to manage all Air Reserve Training, and in June 2004 also assumed responsibility for the coordination and implementation of Professional Development for the Air Force. In June of 2005 he was sent on a tasking for six months to Southwest Asia as part of Operation Athena, and in September 2007 he was transferred to 17 Wing as an assistant to the Wing Administration Officer, a position he held until his retirement on October 1st 2009.
Ian has been married to his wife Rene for over 50 years and they have two children and four grandchildren. They moved back to Powell River on retirement and in the fall of 2015, Ian became the President of the Powell River Healthcare Auxiliary, for a two-year term. In 2021 he agreed to step up as the President for a one-year term.
Ian’s other volunteer positions include President of the Manitoba/Northwestern Division of The Navy League of Canada and a Term as the Division Presidents Rep on the National Council of The Navy League of Canada.
Allana Ferro
Director of Finance
Allana joined the Trail Hospital Auxiliary 20 years ago as Secretary and to help with public relations, and she is currently in her fourth year as President. Her family and community involvement are a major part of who she is. With 48 years of married life, two daughters with spouses, and five grandchildren, life is never dull. Allana’s professional career includes employment as an LPN to help support her husband through university, working as a travel consultant, and spending 28 years as a Municipal Senior Administrator. Retirement allowed Allana to devote more time to her volunteering, which has included various positions in the Trail Skating Club and with the BC/Yukon section of Skate Canada. At present, she continues as Treasurer of the Kootenay Region and as a Level 2 Data Specialist. The Catholic Women’s League, Sisters of Colombo, and the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital & Health Foundation, of which she is Past President, are also cherished parts of her life as a volunteer. Allana’s energy, knowledge, and love of people and healthcare make her an asset to the BCAHA Board.
Cathy Bayley
Secretary
Cathy Bayley was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and grew up in West Vancouver. After graduating from UBC she went to work in Kitimat as an elementary school teacher for a year. Ten years later she returned with her husband and two children to Delta. Cathy was the elementary school music specialist at York House School in Vancouver and two schools in the Surrey School District. She ended her career as the Fine Arts Helping Teacher in Surrey responsible for music, dance, art, and drama in Kindergarten to Grade 12. She was honoured to receive the BC Music Educators Elementary Music Teacher of the Year Award in 2011. A highlight of Cathy’s working career was a teaching exchange to the Gold Coast in Australia. Music has played an important part in Cathy’s life, and she is currently the president of, and singing with the Vancouver EnChor Choir. Cathy has also served as president at the provincial and national level in Carl Orff Canada, an organization of over 1000 music educators across Canada. She also volunteers as a Green coat at the Vancouver International Airport. Nowadays Cathy and her husband love to travel and visit their children and grandchildren in Penticton and Ontario. Cathy is also now attempting to learn to play the ukulele and paint with varying degrees of success.
Cathy joined the Delta Hospital Auxiliary in 2017 and was honoured to be the president of the organization for 4 years. currently, she can be found volunteering at the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store in downtown Ladner and the DHAS Gift Shop in the Delta Hospital.
Cheryl Fry
Director of Communications
Cheryl lives in Revelstoke and has been a member of the Revelstoke Hospital Auxiliary Society since 2008. Starting as Secretary, she is now the Past President. She created the current website and Facebook page for the Revelstoke Auxiliary and she also serves on the Membership, Sunshine, and Wish List committees. For 16 years, Cheryl has volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, coordinating many fundraising initiatives such as the Relay For Life, the Daffodil Campaign and Slopes for Hope. Cheryl is a people person and is always eager to learn new skills. She enjoys a variety of activities including interior decorating, scrapbooking and spending time with her husband, two children and four grandchildren. As BCAHA Secretary, Cheryl brings valuable experience to the Board and she looks forward to sharing her skills to help maintain the best healthcare possible for all our communities.
meet our Leadership
Board of Directors, Executive Members
Area Directors
Nadi Bottomley
Vancouver Island Area, Director
Nadi has been a very active volunteer with her two Healthcare Auxiliaries, the Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary (45 years) and Chemainus Healthcare Auxiliary (15 years). Nadi has been involved in the candy striper program as gift shop convenor, Thrift shop cashier and receiving, welcomed new residents into the Extended care with “Goody Baskets”, worked in the memorial gardens, served as secretary, public relations, 1st, and 2nd Vice President for the Auxiliaries.
Nadi also has volunteered outside the Auxiliary in her community as 1st Vice and President of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, founding member of the Nursery School in Ladysmith, secretary for the Saltair Parks Commission, volunteered with Brownies and Cubs, to name a few as there are too many to mention.
Besides volunteering, Nadi has been married to her husband Paul, for 57 years; they have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Nadi’s other interests are Quilting, reading, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Yvonne Chard
Lower Mainland Area Director
Yvonne sailed from Australia in 1966 after she married a Canadian called Sandy. They were married until Sandy passed away in 2023. They had three children, and there now 6 young grandchildren who live in Ontario and Arizona.
Yvonne taught adult English as a Second Language and was a program manager for many years in Delta School District.
In 2000 Yvonne received a citation from the Canadian Immigration for her work with immigrants. Yvonne retired and had her start as president of the Delta Hospital Auxiliary in the same week. Yvonne first joined the Auxiliary in 2000 working in the Ladner Thrift shop, mainly working with electrical items and watch testing in the back.
Yvonne is still active on various Boards in her Community. For many years she was a leader on the BC Adult Education Association board. Yvonne loves meeting people, travelling, computers, and taking photographs. Yvonne enjoys working with other Auxiliaries as a wonderful opportunity for sharing and growth.
Heather Kennedy
Kootenay Boundary Area, Director
Heather grew up on the prairies, she graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc in Textiles. In 1980, Heather moved to Vancouver and worked in retail, in 1986 returned to UBC and received a teaching certificate in primary education. Heather taught in Vancouver and Rossland.
Heather joined the Rossland Health Care Auxiliary in 1997, she served as secretary of the auxiliary and is currently completing her term as president. Heather is a member of Trail and Area Hospice, she takes part in both the friendly visitor program and end of life. Heather is President of the Rossland Discussion Club and is an active Member of Trail United Church.
Heather helped to organize the cancer support group and continues to plan an annual Cancer Survivor Tea while continuing her chemotherapy. In her free time she loves to read, garden, sew and knit.
Amanada Laranjo
Okanagan Mainline Area, Director
Amanda grew up in Williams Lake, where she was a competitive figure skater and completed her Canadian Cord through Girl Guides. She later moved to North Vancouver to attend Simon Fraser University, where she met her husband, Carlos. After graduation, she worked as a counsellor for the Ministry of Children and Families and ICBC and later managed a vocational program for individuals living with diversabilities. Amanda and Carlos have three adult children and live on a small acreage outside Vernon. When they aren’t travelling, they enjoy outdoor activities, pickleball and spending time with family, friends, and their dogs. Amanda is an active member of the Vernon Auxiliary and is excited to learn more about BCAHA and be involved with other Auxiliaries.
Joanne Bydal
Fraser Valley Area, Director
Joanne was born & raised in East Vancouver, she retired from Langara College after 32 years of service. 2011 Joanne joined the Mission Hospital Auxiliary and has been very busy ever since,
Joanne has 1 Son, 6 Grand Children, and 1 Great Grandson.
Joanne started volunteering with (TRIM), The Residence in Mission, our long-term care facility connected to Mission Memorial Hospital, accompanying and interacting with the Residents on bus trips, going for lunch or dinner, or just a scenic drive, then COVID hit and everything changed. Our first bus trip since then was August of 2022.
Joanne is looking forward to this new chapter in her life as Fraser Valley Area Director.
Fern Hansen
North Area, Director
Fern was born in Southern Ontario and was raised by wonderful parents on a small mixed farm with her siblings. After completing high school Fern was thrilled to join the work force and start her “real” life.
Fern married her husband Alex of 49 years in 1969 and moved to Dawson Creek B.C. in 1971 where they raised their 3 children, Mandy, Jason, and Quinton in a lovely little “hippy” farming community.
Later they moved into town to change professions, in the course of time Fern owned a seasonal greenhouse, a concession at a little town ski hill, then opened the Baby Store in the mall.
Fern retired from the baby store when she turned 69 and focused her time into volunteering, Fern had an instrumental role in setting up the Dawson Creek Recycling Association, the Farmers Market, and currently works at the Community Gardens Society and the Hospital Auxiliary as well as Fern spent 3 consecutive terms of 3 years on the Board of the Dawson Co-op of Federated Co-op (F.C.L). Fern greatly enjoys spending time with her fabulous grandchildren, Fern is looking forward to being the N.E Area Director and serving on the BCAHA Provincial Board.