Ottawa Chapter

Susan is a retired social worker and senior executive in the health-related sector. She was a founding Board member of both the William E. Hay Centre and the Dave Smith Centre. She volunteered at Hospice Care Ottawa for several years. She believes strongly in an individual’s right to control their end-of-life choices and to have a dignified death.

Jon is a retired arbitrator, mediator, lawyer, who has sat as a volunteer on various executive committees in the arts and culture, political, and environmental fields. His firm belief that Canadians, at end of life, should have a broad choice of options, found a natural place to make a contribution as a volunteer with DWDC.

Jeanne has a varied professional background, having worked in government, academe, and the private sector, and as a journalist, public relations professional, policy analyst, project manager, and senior executive. She joined Dying with Dignity Canada because of her belief in quality over quantity of life and in having the freedom to make decisions about the end of life.

Beverlee is a retired medical social worker who worked for many years in geriatric medicine and with patients who suffered from neuro-degenerative disease. She currently volunteers with the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa and the Ottawa Council on Aging as well as the Ottawa chapter of DWDC.

Lisa is a writer and editor whose life experiences have led her to wanting to help people tell their stories, and articulate their wishes and beliefs about end of life, and death and dying. She has been, variously, a journalist, a broadcaster for CBC Radio, a fitness trainer, an arts programmer for the City of Ottawa, a facilitator and teacher, and a Cemetery Keeper; and was co-artistic director and producer for a vibrant theatre company performing world class plays in local taverns. She also volunteers for the ALS Society of Canada.

Arthur researched and wrote on a range of social policy issues, currently focussed on information technology and society. He was a volunteer with The Compassionate Friends, a peer support group for parents who had lost a child of any age and for any reason. He has been involved with DWDC Ottawa chapter for ten years.