STU SIMSON – Board Chair

I have been a resident of Abbotsford for the past ten years. I started my career in the grocery industry where I spent thirty years. When I left due to changes in the industry, I returned to school and received diplomas in life skills, counseling, and relationship training. After graduation, I taught at Life skills College and then on to work with challenged youth and adults in residential and day programs teaching what I had learned at Life Skills College. In 2015 I retired as a Handi-Dart bus driver based in Surrey.

CAROLYN KJERSEM – Board Vice Chair

I learned about Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging as a participant in the weekly Seniors Social Cafe. I became a board member because I felt that I could act as a liaison between Administration and clients – to promote communication and involvement. I have a background in education and a Masters Degree Degree in Special Education. I have worked as a teacher, school principal, and psychologist. I was a sister of a younger brother with Down Syndrome, who was also a senior! In his memory, there is the James Patty “Special Needs” Fund with the Mission Community Foundation. My wish is to further his legacy by supporting the development, with the Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging, of an inclusive environment for aging people with developmental disabilities.

BOBBIE THOMPSON – Treasurer

Bobbie has always been community minded and wants to find creative solutions to help those looking for services. She is passionate about providing an exceptional service experience that goes above and beyond what the client needs. She is the care office owner of Right at Home Canada since 2018 and provides service for clients in the Fraser Valley between Chilliwack and Langley. She is originally from Edmonton, AB and moved to Abbotsford in 1995. She has three children and two grandkids. Her background was working for a Not for Profit organization that provide services to Senior, Youth at Risk, Adults with Disability and a Food Bank. She was there for over 22 years, and 8 of those years in a Senior Management position.

DIANE DANCHUK – Director

I have been the volunteer bookkeeper/treasurer for the past year for Abbotsford Healthy Aging.  I am also involved with Volunteer Abbotsford, another not-for-profit organization in Abbotsford.  We provide volunteers at the Abbotsford Entertainment Centre and contribute our funds to the Food Bank. I also enjoy contributing time to the Social Committee in the complex where I live.

BARBARA SIMSON – Director

Barbara Simson has just retired from owning Day’s Home Care for over 10 years which provided various services to seniors in their homes throughout the Fraser Valley. We were passionate in keeping seniors comfortable in their homes

Over the years Barbara has volunteered with seniors including on several City of Abbotsford committees representing seniors in Abbotsford.

NANCY DEBA – Director

I am retired and live in Abbotsford. I have a BA from UFV and a TESOL diploma from Vancouver Career College. I was an employee in the Seniors Department of Archway Community Services for 17 years. There I supervised and coordinated many programs and events including, Meals on Wheels, Lunch with the Bunch, Chat and Chai, Immigrant Seniors Introduction to Abbotsford, Annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon, Christmas Bazaar and Picnic in the Park. In collaboration with the Food Bank a hot meal and hamper program was created, for vulnerable seniors, the Slushies for Seniors project and celebrating Seniors Day. Special events included bus trips, attending local concerts, live theatre productions, and Canada Day celebrations. I have been an active participant and volunteer in the community for many years. This includes Girl Guides of Canada, Bike to Work Week, Run for Water, Vancouver Sun Run, Terry Fox Run, Book clubs, and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Volunteering with Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging at the Social Cafe, the holiday breakfast projects and Concerts has been a wonderful experience and a way for me to continue connecting our seniors to our community.

JACK BAILLIE – Director

I was born in Morden, Manitoba in 1947 and got married in Brandon, Manitoba in 1969. My wife Gerri and I were blessed with 2 children and 3 grandchildren. My jobs in Advertising and Marketing for National Homes, Beaver Lumber, and Home Hardware allowed us to live in Winnipeg, MN, Abbotsford, BC, Barrie, ON, Waterloo, ON and visit every province and territory in our beautiful Canada. I retired a few years ago and Gerri and I moved back to our favourite place, Abbotsford, in 2015. I love working as a volunteer with Abbotsford Association for Healthy Aging and enjoy it almost as much as walking our dog, Howie.

KEVIN LARSEN – Director

moved to Abbotsford from Alberta. I am semi-retired as I work part-time at the golf course. I am also currently volunteering at Abbotsford Centre. I wanted to do some volunteering in the community as a way of giving back to Abbotsford. I saw an ad in the “Coffee News” leaflet about Friendly Visiting and have been visiting with a gentleman ever since. We talk about many things when we meet, play cribbage and enjoy watching many different types of sports. I get a lot out of these visits and come away fulfilled. I have been able to meet more people in the community through volunteering than I would not have otherwise. I plan on volunteering more as time permits as there are many charitable organizations around to seek out.

CHRISTINA RAGNEBORG – Executive Director

I have worked in the community social services sector for 40 years with seniors.  The primary goal is to enhance the lives of our senior community and ensure that senior individuals can retain their dignity and independence during the latter stages of life.  Growing up I did not have an opportunity to have a relationship with my grandparents and felt I missed out on a valuable connection.  Embarking on a career with seniors led me to build a human experience with individuals that have lived full, fascinating and adventurous lives.  They have shared with me a great wealth of knowledge and stories that are invaluable.