Meet the Executive

Meet the 2023 – 2024 Executive Officers and Members of the Standing Committees who bring their ideas and energy to our club.

Executive Officers

President – Linda Graf  (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I retired to the Comox Valley eight years ago after an environmental career that exposed me to the wonders of the Western Arctic. I lived and worked there for many years, and met my husband, Gordon. I loved my time at Simon Fraser University, where I received a degree in Biology. My love of reading and travel has taken me around the world, both figuratively and physically. Dogs and gardening have made my life complete, but volunteering has opened me up to so much more. Most notably I was a volunteer fire fighter, a search and research member, Chair of a Ducks Unlimited committee and, now, your President.

Vice President – Nell van Wyngaarden (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I was born to Dutch immigrant parents on a fishing boat on the Caribbean Sea, then spent my first two years on the island of Sint Eustatius. Our family emigrated again, this time to southern Ontario where I lived until I moved to Halifax to attend university in the early 70’s. After taking a break to raise five children, I found work as a journalist with CBC Radio. That led to a great career in communications in NB. When it was time to retire, I made the trek across Canada to live on my daughter’s property in Royston. I am grateful for the many dear friends I have since made through the Newcomers and Alumnae network.

Second Vice President – Deb Clare (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
“Prairie girl gone Island” and immensely grateful to have done so….
Upon completion of my career as an elementary school principal in Regina, SK, I moved to The Comox Valley 7 years ago, to be nearer sisters. Presently i find myself between VI and Toronto, where my daughter and 4-year-old grandson reside. Surprisingly, I seem to visit them more than my son who lives in Vancouver, albeit his pilot job often takes him elsewhere. However, my extended BC family fill my family love bucket. My sister, Adele is an alumnae, while my cousin Betty who also a member will assist me in this position.

As with all of us, embracing what the valley has to offer, specifically through New Comers has been a gift beyond imagination. So let the fun and experiences continue.
Being an extroverted enthusiast has me desire to share everything with others, and to have fun while doing it. Thus, I come to you as the VP events coordinator creating opportunity of fellowship within our organization. I invite you to offer input and suggestions to what this might look like. Please just give me a connect.

I look forward to the next year of fun, friendship and frivolity. See you there.

Secretary  and Membership Coordinator – Carole Allan (January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024)
We purchased a condo in Courtenay in 2013, to be near our three adult children on the West Coast. Before that, for three decades, I had my own picture framing gallery, and my husband was in industrial construction. We have never regretted moving from St. Catharines, Ontario. Since 2014, I’ve held several positions either in activities or on council, always enjoying the many ladies I’ve met. My favorite outdoor pastimes are golf, bird watching, nature walks and being chauffeured by my husband in his 1972 MGB to many quaint Island areas. Loving every minute of my blessed life!

Treasurer – Sonia Reid  (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I grew up on a farm near Cold Lake, AB, but lived most of my adult life in St. Albert and Edmonton where I very much enjoyed a rewarding career as an elementary and special ed teacher. My husband, Bill, and I became acquainted with the Comox Valley when we came here over the years for summer vacations. Finally, in 2014, we moved to Courtenay and feel very fortunate to have landed in such a spectacular valley which offers so much beauty and so many activities. If moving here was the first best gift to ourselves, my joining Newcomers and later Newcomers’ Alumnae was the next best gift because they have been such awesome vehicles for fostering community through friendships and activities. We are also thankful that my husband’s daughter lives nearby in Nanaimo so we can see our two little grandsons frequently. My days are filled with gardening, golf, walks, friends and my fur baby Shih Tzu, Oreo. Life is so good.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Membership Coordinator – Jennifer Blues (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I moved to the Comox Valley from Prince George with my husband Frank in June 2019. We lived in Prince George for 34 years, after making an earlier move from Scotland in 1981. In January 2019, we came to visit Courtenay for a week to check out the area and ended up buying a house! We quickly found a new community through the Newcomers’ Club, where I met some wonderful ladies who have become good friends.

Activities Coordinator – Karen Bayer  (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I grew up in Richmond but moved to Calgary where I spent 28 years. My dream was always to get back to the Coast and in 2015 that dream came true. I immediately joined the Newcomers’ Club and subsequently the Newcomers’ Alumnae and have never looked back. I cannot believe the amazing women I have met and there is always an activity to be involved with. I love the Island life!

Newsletter Editor – Linda Rasmussen (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
Born and raised in Lethbridge AB, I was eager to see the bigger world. In my late teens and early 20s, I hitchhiked across Canada and traveled through most of South America. I settled in Edmonton for 34 years where I raised four children. I had an eclectic career in film production and distribution, in public health doing health promotion, and as a small business owner marketing legal services. Knowing that daffodils bloom on the West Coast in February, I always believed I would move here. In 2017, on impulse, my husband and I bought a condo in Comox overlooking the mountains. I joined CV Newcomers’ Club and was introduced to a fantastic group of women, new restaurants and pubs, and beautiful walks.

Webmaster – Roxane Lacroix  (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
Originally from the province of Québec, I moved to Ontario then to B.C. a few years ago. I lived on the mainland for a few years and then moved to this beautiful Island, in the Comox Valley. I love outdoor activities (cycling, hiking, photography, gardening) but also quieter ones like reading, sewing…but I discovered a passion on the island for beachcombing. This island has so much to offer! Thanks to the Newcomer’s Alumnae, I also met some wonderful women, whom I now call friends.

Hospitality Coordinator – Adele Brown  (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I grew up in North Vancouver where my parents had deep roots and Mom lived to be 99. Hiking and biking the local hills kept me fit along with skiing in the winter.
I have two children and five grandchildren. My daughter, Kim, lives in Calgary where we visit often or they fly here. My son, Todd, lives here with his wife and two boys. He encouraged Jim and I to move here to a quieter lifestyle. We built a new house and have enjoyed our eight years in the valley.
When I retired from teaching in Vancouver, I took up golf. It’s become my passion and a great way to meet people. Through our Alumnae we can stay connected and young at heart.

Hospitality Coordinator & Life Events Coordinator – Rosemary Mansell (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024)
I was born in Edmonton and raised in North Vancouver. I met my husband in Vancouver and during our marriage we moved many times. Living in Haida Gwaii for first five years of our marriage with two very young children was awesome and unforgettable. We then moved to Victoria, Nanaimo, Victoria again, White Rock and in 2014 we came to the Comox Valley where our son and daughter and two grandchildren now live. My career was always with the school districts both in the public and private sectors in a secretarial/administrative role. There was no greater joy than working with students of all ages. I am an avid reader, an enthusiastic golfer and love to play tennis and squash. I am thrilled with all the activities that are offered through the Newcomers’ Alumnae and am thankful for the beautiful friendships I have made.

Safety & Protocol Working Group – Kaylene McKinnon  (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024)
I am originally from Ontario and spent a few years in Alberta before moving permanently to the beautiful Comox Valley in 2019. I enjoy cycling, hiking, boating, as well as reading, knitting, cooking, and trying new baking recipes. We are thrilled to live here, in our Island Paradise. I feel very fortunate to have met so many wonderful friends and learn so much about our community through Newcomers.

Past President – Chrys Sample  (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
I grew up in Saskatchewan, my husband, sons and I moved here to B.C. when Quince was 5 and Curt was 11. We lived on the Sunshine Coast. Clint bought a fish boat and learned how to commercial fish. I worked as a Food Service Supervisor at the hospital in Sechelt. Our sons grew up to be commercial fishermen too. Clint built us a Bed and Breakfast, which we opened in 2004, so between the hospital, fishing, and the B&B guests we led busy lives. When Clint passed away in 2015, I moved to Comox to be closer to Quince, Esther and my 3 grandkids. I love being a grandma, honestly, they bring me so much joy. I joined Newcomers in the fall of 2016, there were 29 women joining that night. It has been fabulous! I’ve made a lot of friends, I’ve learned to golf and I’m in 3 book clubs. Life is good.