Throughout her time with us, Laurie has been a beacon of compassion, creativity, and dedication. She created supportive spaces, groups, and educational workshops that helped individuals facing terminal illness or grieving the death of a loved one. In 2020, Laurie founded the Supportive Walking Group, which brought grieving individuals together in the healing embrace of nature. Earlier this year, she launched the Musical Connections group, offering a creative outlet for those processing loss through music. She also organized educational workshops on topics such as advance care planning, self-care, wellness, yoga, expressive arts, cooking for one, and downsizing and decluttering—ensuring the community had access to valuable resources, all provided for free thanks to the generosity of local donors.

Laurie’s contributions to community events were nothing short of remarkable. She was front and centre in organizing beloved initiatives like the Hometown Hoedown for Hospice, Annual Memorial Celebration, Health and Wellness Day, and volunteer appreciation events every spring and winter. From arranging décor, entertainment, and catering to securing sponsorships and donations, her vision and dedication brought these events to life, creating meaningful experiences for participants while raising critical support for Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Beyond her many professional accomplishments, Laurie has been an exceptional team member who cultivated close, positive working relationships with staff at Chilliwack Hospice Society. Her warmth, collaboration, and unwavering support made her a valued colleague and a source of inspiration to all who had the pleasure of working with her.

As Laurie embarks on this next chapter, she is looking forward to spending more time outdoors, playing guitar and harp, and creating new memories with family and friends. We extend our deepest gratitude for her incredible service, compassion, and creativity. Her dedication to honouring volunteers, connecting with the community, and fostering healing spaces will be deeply missed.

Please join us in wishing Laurie a retirement filled with joy, adventure, and all the things she loves most.

A safe, supportive space for displaced Ukrainians who now call Chilliwack home has been created at Chilliwack Hospice Society. The group will meet monthly to assist those affected by the war to process their complicated grief and losses. One-to-one support is also available by appointment for those participating in the group and those who aren’t comfortable with the group setting. In addition to a grief support group dedicated to these newcomers to Chilliwack, Hospice Society staff will be facilitating three other grief support groups during the winter months.

First Step Grief Support Group begins February 7 and meets weekly for eight weeks. The group is best suited those who have experienced the death of a loved one in the past six months or year; offering mutual support and socialization for bereaved people wanting the share the journey into change and renewal. It is well-established that grief has no timeline. As such, some First Step group members may choose to begin participating weeks following the death of their loved one. In turn, others may find themselves open to the benefits of participating in a grief support group years later.  A Traumatic Loss Support Group will also begin meeting in February with the exact dates to be decided. The content of this group’s meetings is specifically developed for those who have experienced the death of a loved one due to homicide, suicide, drug poisoning, workplace accident, or sudden illness.

Chilliwack Hospice Society recognizes that significant loss isn’t limited to human connections. Beginning February 22, a supportive space will be created for those grieving the death of a beloved pet. The staff-led grief support group will meet once weekly for four weeks and include participation from the Society’s university practicum students. Students of social work, counselling psychology, child and youth care, and other fields offer a wonderful exchange of knowledge and experience for staff, volunteers, clients, and students alike, and will be contributing to grief support groups – First Step, Traumatic Loss, and Grieving the Death of a Pet.

“In addition to our grief support groups, staff and volunteers offer many opportunities for one-to-one support and complementary therapies to assist members of our community through the grieving process,” Lucy Fraser, director of programs, says. “Informal connections with other bereaved individuals and mutual support can be found in our Relaxation Program, Supportive Walking Group, and Gentle Chair Yoga sessions, as well as our many volunteer opportunities.”

As part of the organization’s community outreach and education programs, a new matinée series of ‘Movies That Move You’ will be shown once monthly, starting with Collateral Beauty on January 24. Each movie has been selected for its themes of grief and loss and are suitable for adults’ viewing and discussion. Advance Care Planning workshops have also been well-received by the community and will continue in 2023 with the next two-part session starting February 16. The writing prompts, worksheets, and group discussion help individuals or their parents develop an Advance Care Plan, including indicating one’s beliefs, values, and wishes, Temporary Substitute Decision Maker, Representation Agreement, and Advance Directive.

Exemplifying the real impact Hospice Society programs and services are having on the Chilliwack community, was once again named a finalist for Non-Profit of the Year by the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. Also in December, Child & Youth Program Manager Franceska Hills was recognized by Murray Mazda as a ‘Local Community Legend’ and received $2,500 in arts supplies toward the Society’s children’s programs.

“Our staff and volunteers at Chilliwack Hospice Society, with support from our dedicated board of directors, continues to build our programming and expand our outreach efforts; providing heartfelt support to more adults, teens, and children who are dying or grieving,” Executive Director Sue Knott says. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued benevolence of individual donors, sponsors, and grants which enable us to meet the increasing demand for our services from the community.”

If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one right now, call Chilliwack Hospice Society at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org to learn more about the one-to-one support, groups and workshops that are currently being offered. Donations are always gratefully accepted at the Thrifty Boutique and online at www.chilliwackhospice.org/donate

For more information, news, and events, join our email newsletter list or follow Chilliwack Hospice Society on Facebook and Instagram.

While a supportive walking group had been held at Townsend Park when the Society was in downtown Chilliwack in years past, the program had not been held recently.  In January 2020 Laurie McNaught, manager of community outreach, borrowed the idea from former program manager Coletta Holmes, to begin a small supportive walking group.  The group faced several challenges during the early start-up months with the many COVID-19 restrictions but eventually managed to establish a regular walking program.  The importance of this outdoor group became very apparent when many of the other in-person group programing was not available due to COVID-19.

One group participant says, “Sometimes this [walking group] has been the only time I was able to get out of the house to be with others. I feel like the other participants understand this. This walk is a highlight of my week.”

Many members of the group have experienced the death of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic and have shared their mutual frustrations over not being able to gather with family members, hold a funeral or honour the deceased in traditional ways.

“When a new person joins the group, there will sometimes be a lot of tears during our walk,” says McNaught. “The volunteers are so amazing, as they listen and walk beside those who are struggling in these early days of grief. Then as the weeks go by, I notice that the conversations change to chats about life and challenges, weather, even plans for future events, and some good laughs.”

Participants are encouraged to share as little or as much as they feel comfortable about their grief. Knowing that others walking alongside are also suffering a significant loss can be of great comfort. Volunteers offer familiar, consistent smiles each week, though participants are welcome to drop-in anytime to join the walk. Bereavement clients are often referred to the walking group which complements other Hospice programs well.

Fresh air and movement can be healing for those who are grieving. The park is continually changing and so full of nature, life, and things to experience. Often observed are herons, an eagle, several kinds of ducks, Canada geese, and many songbirds. Despite seasonal changes, the Supportive Walking Group has continued through 2021 and into the current year undeterred by rain and snow. Sardis Park offers a warm, safe, and beautiful setting to share and listen to others as the lives of the bereaved grow around their grief.

A group member says, “Even though it is a short walk I am sure all the participants benefit from the walk. It allows them to share the things they do.” Another one says, “The comfort of knowing this community gathering is there for me every week is something that gives me a sense of belonging. I know my grief is welcome and it matters.”

The weekly walk begins and ends at the Chilliwack Hospice Society and, when restrictions allow, include time for a complimentary coffee and further conversation in the group programming space indoors following the walk.

Our Supportive Walking Group meets weekly on Thursdays mornings at 9:30am, starting at 7112 Vedder Road. For more information about this and other community outreach programs, contact Laurie McNaught at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org