Organized by community members Gerry Enns and Kim Percy, with support from Chilliwack Hospice Society event manager Sharilyn Jackson, the annual tournament honours the memory and legacy of beloved local business leader Russ Walsh while raising vital funds for free grief and palliative care programs and services in our community.

Held at Meadowlands Golf & Country Club, this year’s tournament raised nearly $60,000 for Chilliwack Hospice Society, helping ensure individuals and families facing dying, death, grief, and bereavement can continue to access compassionate support at no cost.

Participants enjoyed a round of golf on Meadowlands’ scenic 18-hole, par 70 course, along with lunch and opportunities to connect with friends, colleagues, and fellow community members throughout the day.

Now in its third year, the Russ Walsh Memorial Golf Tournament continues to bring people together in Russ’ memory while carrying forward his legacy of community support.

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends its sincere thanks to Gerry Enns and Kim Percy for their continued leadership in organizing the tournament, to presenting sponsor Prospera, and to the golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, Meadowlands Golf & Country Club, and everyone who contributed to another meaningful and successful event.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is celebrating a deeply meaningful recognition of its longest-serving staff member, Director of Programs Lucy Fraser, whose 22 years of service to the Society and wider Chilliwack community were honoured through the Chilliwack School District’s Honouring Our Elders Legacy Portrait Project.

Friends encircle Lucy Fraser (seated) at a family tea social in the school library following the Honouring Our Elders ceremony. Photo courtesy of Coletta Holmes.

Fraser was recognized during a Family Tea Social at G.W. Graham Secondary School on Monday, Jun. 15, where a portrait created by student artist Taliyah McLeod was unveiled before family members, friends, students, educators, Indigenous community representatives, and local leaders.

The morning began with drumming and singing by G.W. Graham students, followed by opening remarks from Donna’Lee Irwin, an Indigenous Enhancement teacher with the Chilliwack School District. McLeod then unveiled her portrait of Fraser, with personal remarks shared by Fraser’s close friend and Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer Elaina Wugalter.

The gathering also honoured Elder Violet George of Ch’íyáqtel (Tzeachten), whose portrait was created by student artist Lilah Gerrits, followed by remarks from Loren Muth on behalf of George’s family. Muth, a Ch’íyáqtel Band Council member, also addressed those gathered, alongside City of Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove, Assistant Superintendent Dave Manuel, and G.W. Graham principal Chuck Lawson. A lunch reception followed in the school library, continuing the opportunity for conversation and connection across generations and communities.

Throughout more than two decades with the Society, Fraser has helped shape and expand grief and bereavement support in Chilliwack while advocating for people whose experiences are too often overlooked, stigmatized, or excluded from conventional systems of support. Her commitment extends beyond individual service delivery to public education, volunteer development, community outreach, and efforts to reduce barriers for people affected by social and systemic inequities.

Portrait of Lucy Fraser by student artist Taliyah McLeod. Photo courtesy of Sue Knott.

As director of programs, Fraser’s responsibilities span one-to-one support, program development, volunteer training, public education, and group facilitation. Her work includes supporting people grieving deaths that may be sudden, traumatic, complex or stigmatized, including deaths by suicide or homicide, deaths from drug poisoning, and fatal workplace incidents.

She also supports people experiencing grief related to pregnancy and infant loss, including miscarriage, abortion, and stillbirth. Across these areas of practice, Fraser has helped create spaces where people can speak openly about grief experiences that may be misunderstood, minimized, or difficult to discuss elsewhere.

Her approach has also taken grief support beyond traditional office and program settings. Fraser has provided outreach to people in correctional settings, treatment and recovery environments, shelters and other community spaces, recognizing that grief is not experienced separately from poverty, housing insecurity, substance use, incarceration, trauma, or other circumstances that can create barriers to support. That willingness to meet people where they are has been a defining part of Fraser’s work.

The Chilliwack School District developed its local project through collaboration between its Indigenous Education Department and school art teachers, with support and guidance from the original Honouring Our Elders Legacy Project established in northern B.C. at Smithers Secondary School.

The original project was created to build understanding and support reconciliation through art and relationship. It brings students into a process of listening, learning, and portrait-making that connects generations and communities. The coordinating team behind the original project was recognized through the British Columbia Reconciliation Award, a partnership of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the BC Achievement Foundation. Government House describes the initiative as one intended to bridge divides, deepen understanding, and engage reconciliation through art.

Taliyah McLeod (left) and Lucy Fraser stand beside her portrait. Photo courtesy of Sue Knott.

At the heart of the project was also a relationship between a student artist and the person whose story she was entrusted to represent. Through McLeod’s portrait, Fraser’s years of service have been interpreted by a young artist and made part of an enduring public display at G.W. Graham Secondary School. The district has confirmed that the portraits will remain permanently displayed at the participating schools alongside plaques sharing information about those honoured.

Fraser’s portrait will stand as a lasting recognition of a community contribution that continues every day — in quiet conversations, in circles of support, in volunteer learning, in public education, and wherever someone grieving needs to know they do not have to walk alone.

Held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Evergreen Hall, this year’s Hometown Hoedown for Hospice welcomed a sold-out crowd of 250 guests, a record for the event. Proudly presented by Century Plumbing & Heating, the evening was filled with high-energy fun, generosity and down-home country charm as sponsors, donors, volunteers and supporters came together from across the community.

Guests enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner, games, a lively Dessert Dash, a 50-50 draw and a particularly successful online auction featuring more than 100 items generously donated by local individuals and businesses. With bidding from both event attendees and supporters across the community, the auction played a major role in this year’s record-breaking result.

The celebration also featured a surprise line-dancing flash mob by DanceFixx and live music from the Dusty Boots Band, whose mix of country and rock kept the dance floor full well into the evening.

“This year’s Hometown Hoedown for Hospice was a wonderful example of our community coming together in support of a cause that touches so many lives,” said Sue Knott, executive director of Chilliwack Hospice Society. “We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer and guest who helped make this record-breaking evening possible.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends sincere appreciation to all event sponsors, auction and Dessert Dash donors, volunteers, professional service providers and community supporters for their generous support of this year’s Hometown Hoedown for Hospice.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

PECSF is the BC Public Service’s employee-led workplace giving program, and since 1965, it has helped raise over $50 million for charities across the province. We are honoured to be a current donor choice charity and to be among the many organizations empowered by this meaningful initiative.

During the 2024 campaign, 6,191 donors from across B.C. contributed more than $2.63 million through PECSF — an extraordinary accomplishment made possible by the dedication of more than 1,000 volunteers who canvassed, coordinated, and championed the cause within their workplaces.

The portion of these funds directed to Chilliwack Hospice Society helps us provide compassionate care and free support services to individuals and families in our community who are impacted by dying, death, and grief. Every donation makes a difference — helping us continue to offer programs for children, youth, and adults, from one-on-one grief support to community education and hospice volunteer training.

We are incredibly thankful to the employees who chose to support our work through PECSF, and to the volunteers who made it all possible. Your care and community spirit are making a real impact right here in Chilliwack.

To our friends in the BC Public Service: if you are considering supporting us through the PECSF program, we invite you to select Chilliwack Hospice Society as your charity of choice. Your donations directly support people in our community when they need it most.

To learn more about the PECSF program and how to give, please visit their website.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

The holidays don’t have to be perfect

We can feel pressure to create meaningful, joyful celebrations. Yet even when everything appears perfect on the outside, grief may still show up. Allow yourself to be present as you are, without expectations or self-judgment. Some days will feel heavier than others — that’s normal.

Be intentional and open to change

Traditions can bring comfort, but they can also feel painful when someone is missing. Ask yourself: What is the heart of this tradition? Connection? Faith? Memory? Generosity? Consider adapting old routines or creating new ones that reflect where you are now. Meaning can evolve over time.

Practice saying no

Grieving takes emotional, physical, and mental energy. If your schedule feels overwhelming, give yourself permission to decline invitations or step away from activities that feel too demanding this year. Prioritizing what matters most protects your energy and well-being.

Plan time for yourself

Quiet time, rest, reflection, or simply stepping away from a gathering can make a big difference. Scheduling breaks or building in slower days may help you cope when the season feels busy or emotionally charged.

Reach out for support

Grief can feel isolating, even when surrounded by others. While family and friends may be supportive, you may also benefit from connecting with trained grief support volunteers or professionals. Chilliwack Hospice Society offers free, one-to-one grief support as well as group programs. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Make room for both grief and joy

It is common to feel complex emotions: sadness, gratitude, longing, laughter, love. Some people worry that enjoying the holidays means they are “moving on” or forgetting their loved one. Joy does not erase grief. Both feelings can co-exist, and both are valid.

Honour your loved one in meaningful ways

Finding gentle ways to remember your loved one can offer comfort. You might:

• Cook a favourite recipe
• Display a special ornament or keepsake
• Light a candle
• Share stories with people who are comfortable listening
• Create a private ritual just for you

There is no right or wrong way to grieve someone you miss.

You are not alone

The holidays can be tender, painful, meaningful, or bittersweet, sometimes all at once. Be gentle with yourself as you move through the season. Consider visiting us for Celebrate A Life at Minter Country Garden or Thrifty Boutique, attend our Holiday Movie Matinee on December 12, or participating in our Coffee & Compassion Drop-In Grief Support Circle, December 15. You’ll be in good company.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

Sue Knott (centre) attended ‘bingo night’ on October 23 where the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club made their official cheque presentation to Chilliwack Hospice Society.

On October 8, Executive Director Sue Knott attended the club’s evening meeting to share an update on the Society’s work over the past year. Following her presentation, members of the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club surprised the Society with a commitment to donate $20,000 toward hospice programs and services. Knott later joined the club on October 23 during their weekly livestream bingo night for an official cheque presentation. “We are deeply grateful to the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club for their incredible generosity,” said Knott. “Their support helps us continue providing compassionate care and programs for individuals and families in our community who are living with dying, death, and loss.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends its sincere thanks to the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club for their ongoing dedication to serving the community.

Sibling grief is one form of disenfranchised grief, the kind of grief that society too often fails to acknowledge or validate. Siblings are sometimes called “the forgotten mourners,” as their loss can be overshadowed by attention given to parents, partners, or children of the deceased. But the bond between siblings is one of the most significant and enduring relationships in life and the grief that comes from its loss can last a lifetime.

“Sibling grief is one of the least acknowledged forms of grief, despite siblings often being our longest and most formative relationships. Greater awareness through publications and social media in the realm of grief education and the need for establishing peer grief groups are essential supports needed for navigating a sibling’s unique and enduring bereavement.”
— Earla Legault, co-author of Living with Sibling Grief: Imagining a Way Forward, and Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer

Earla Legault

Why sibling grief matters

From childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, sibling relationships help shape our sense of identity. They are our first companions and rivals, our teachers and protectors, and the people who know our history from the beginning. Many siblings share decades of life together, often more time than with anyone else. Research has shown that siblings spend up to a third of their early years together, more than with parents, teachers, or friends.

Despite the closeness of this bond, the grief that follows a sibling’s death is rarely recognized for its depth or duration. Our culture tends to give less acknowledgement to sibling relationships, even though they are nearly universal and profoundly formative. When a sibling dies, it can feel as though part of one’s own identity is gone — a missing chapter in the story of one’s life.

What sibling grievers wish others knew

There is no hierarchy in grief. While the death of a sibling may be viewed by some as “lesser” than other losses, the pain can be immense. Many adults assume their brothers or sisters will always be there, a steady presence through milestones and change. When that expectation is suddenly broken, the result can be deep sorrow, disorientation, and even guilt for surviving.

Siblings who are grieving often need to self-advocate for their emotional needs. At home, in friendships, and at work, they may find themselves setting boundaries or seeking understanding in environments where their loss is not easily recognized. Taking time for rest, creative expression, or quiet reflection can help create space for healing.

How to support someone grieving a sibling

Support begins with simple acknowledgement. Recognize that the death of a sibling leaves a lifelong impact — it’s not something to “get over” or “move on from.” Grief doesn’t end; it changes shape over time.

Offering empathy rather than advice is one of the most meaningful ways to help. Invite your friend or colleague to talk about their sibling, share stories, or find ways to keep their memory present. Encourage rituals of connection such as lighting a candle, marking birthdays, or finding a special way to honour the bond they shared.

For those who are grieving, learning about grief education and theories can provide helpful context for what they are experiencing. Understanding that healing is about adapting rather than accepting can make space for a gentler and more sustainable journey.

Moving forward

Grief changes us, but it does not have to isolate us. By speaking more openly about sibling loss, we can help people feel seen, validated, and supported.

If you are grieving the death of a sibling, know that your relationship mattered deeply and so does your grief. You are not alone in moving forward to navigate this deep loss.

For local grief support and peer groups, please contact Lucy Fraser, MSW, Director of Programs at Chilliwack Hospice Society at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org.

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends heartfelt thanks to volunteer and author Earla Legault for contributing her insights and expertise to this article. Earla is the co-author of Living with Sibling Grief: Imagining a Way Forward and has dedicated her work to raising awareness of sibling bereavement through education, writing, and peer support.

Chilliwack Hospice Society invites community members to join in a time of remembrance and reflection at its annual Memorial Celebration on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives (45820 Spadina Ave.). The event begins at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Held on the third Tuesday of November, the date coincides with National Grief and Bereavement Day, recognized by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and organizations like Chilliwack Hospice Society. The awareness day aims to increase Canadians’ grief literacy and encourage open conversations about grief, loss and support.

The Memorial Celebration offers an opportunity for individuals and families to honour their loved ones, find comfort in community and experience the quiet strength of shared understanding. The event is open to anyone who is grieving — whether the death occurred recently or many years ago.

“Our Memorial Celebration provides a safe and meaningful space for people to come together, honour their loved ones and feel supported by others who understand what they’re going through,” said Sue Knott, Executive Director of Chilliwack Hospice Society. “Moments like this remind us that grief is a shared human experience, and no one needs to face it alone.”

This year’s program features guest speaker Cristal Biela, and a musical performance by singer-songwriter Jennifer Victor. Guests are encouraged to bring a framed photo of their loved one to display during the evening. Light refreshments will be served.

Guest speaker – Cristal Biela, M.A., RCC
Biela is a wife and mother of four adult children who lives on an off-grid homestead. She works as a community health specialist with Fraser Health in Chilliwack, focusing on enhancing resilience and reducing the impact of adverse childhood experiences for children, youth and families. She will share reflections on her personal and professional experiences with grief and how she has found comfort by intentionally weaving moments of joy into her days.

Musical guest – Jennifer Victor
Victor is a Chilliwack-based singer-songwriter who launched her YouTube channel in 2016 and has since reached more than nine million streams on Spotify. She collaborates with musicians worldwide and is passionate about mental-health awareness, using music as a source of comfort and connection.

Guests are asked to RSVP by calling (604) 795-4660. Street parking and elevator access are available. There is no smoking on the premises.

All Chilliwack Hospice Society programs and services are offered free of cost thanks to the generosity of local donors and businesses.

For more information about memorial events at Chilliwack Hospice Society, please contact Deanna Fedorkew, Community Education Manager, at (604) 795-4660 or deanna@chilliwackhospice.org.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with death and dying through support, education, and programs that provide wellness and healthy grieving.

Special opportunities for rituals and remembrances included the Mother’s Day Memorial on May 9 and the Father’s Day Memorial on June 13. Both events offered safe spaces for those grieving a parent or parent-figure to share memories and find comfort in community. On August 21, Fedorkew, alongside Jennifer Dacre and Kaylee Lovesy, co-facilitated the Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Memorial, offering a time of reflection for those grieving the loss of a beloved pet or caring for a dying animal. The day included storytelling, expressive arts, and community support.

“Grief touches each of us in different ways, but it is something no one should have to carry alone,” said Fedorkew. “These programs create spaces where people can honour their stories, find comfort, and remember that community can hold us through the hardest seasons.”

Educational opportunities have included advance care planning workshops on July 15 and 17, and September 5 and 8, covering end-of-life care planning, temporary substitute decision makers, representation agreements, and advance directives. On June 19, Planning with Purpose: A Conversation on Death, Dignity and Diverse Traditions was presented in partnership with Tammy Miller of Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, helping participants explore funeral planning, cultural traditions, and essential considerations before and after a death. In September, Planning Ahead: An Introduction to Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements, presented by Aatif Nanji of Simpson Notaries, provided practical guidance on preparing for the future.

New wellness and connection programs were also introduced. Gentle Mat Yoga, led by Emmy Kerr, was offered once weekly outdoors through August, blending movement and mindfulness as a way to nurture body and spirit in grief. Fedorkew also launched Craft and Chat, held the second Friday of every month, creating a welcoming space for participants to connect and process grief through creativity.

Throughout the year Chilliwack Hospice Society hosts a variety of in-person and virtual educational workshops and presentations for the community. Topics may include advance care planning, financial and legal matters, self-care and wellness. Educational workshops are provided for free thanks to the generosity of individual donors and businesses in our community.

The event brought together 120 golfers and numerous sponsors in honour of the late Russ Walsh. Committee chairpersons Gerry Enns and Kim Percy, both close friends of Walsh, helped guide the tournament alongside event manager Sharilyn Jackson of Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Prospera Credit Union returned as the presenting sponsor, while local business Guerilla Q provided a barbecue lunch for participants. Volunteers from both Meadowlands and Chilliwack Hospice Society played a vital role in ensuring the day ran smoothly.

“We are so grateful to the golfers, sponsors, and volunteers who made this day possible,” said Sue Knott, executive director. “The generosity of our community continues to carry forward Russ’s legacy and support the care we provide.”

The Society extended special thanks to Jo-Ann Thompson of Meadowlands Golf and Country Club for her assistance in hosting the event.

Next year’s tournament is scheduled for September 10, 2026, at Meadowlands.