Board of Directors

OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS

Anne Freeman   |   Trudy Johnson   |   Alice Leverman   |   Shelley Mann   |   James Snyder   |   Nancy Stabenow

BOARD MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES

Trudy Johnson, Board Chair

Trudy is a founding member and Chair of the SSHPCS since its incorporation in 2019. Belief in having equity of palliative service and choice for end-of-life care for all residents of the South Shore has been a motivating factor in her involvement.

Beginning a career in education first at Sir John A Mac Donald High School in Halifax and then as teacher and guidance counsellor at Park View Education Centre she moved into administrative roles at both New Germany Rural High School and Park View. Leaving the principalship of Park View she moved to the South Shore Regional School Board office as Senior High School Coordinator, retiring from the Board Office as Director of Programs and Student Services. Following retirement, she worked as a consultant for the Department of Education and as a teacher assistant supervisor with the Jane Norman College.

Volunteering has been a way of life, beginning with work with Addiction Services during the first years of her career.  As co-founder of the Foundation for Youth Support, addiction services workers were introduced into the school system to support struggling students. Other volunteer positions included Second Story Women’s Centre; Secretary, Autism Nova Scotia, South Shore Chapter; Board member Nova Scotia Athletic Federation; and Health Services Foundation of the South Shore as Board member and Chair.

Marlene Wheatley-Downe, Board Vice Chair

Marlene was born and raised in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. She graduated from the Halifax Infirmary School of Nursing and completed a Diploma in Occupational Health Nursing from St. LawrenceCollege  and a Bachelor of Health Science Degree from Charles Stuart University. 

During her 45 years in nursing Marlene gained experience in many sspecialties,including intensive care, emergency room, cardiovascular health, occupational health and safety, clinical research, and management.  She lead the establishment and development of 7 collaborative health care teams and a robust chronic disease management program here in Lunenburg and Queens County. 

Marlene has volunteered extensively with the Canadian Red Cross, Big  Brothers/ Big Sisters, Bridgewater Parks and Recreation Commission, her church, and as a founding member of YMCA Lunenburg County. 

Alan Scott, Board Treasurer

Alan is a retired business manager, residing with his wife in Lunenburg, close to his two daughters and four grandchildren. Following the death of a dear friend and past treasurer, James Snyder; Alan gratefully accepted the role of treasurer for the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society.

Alan graduated from Royal Roads University with a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management.

In addition to road cycling in the summer and curling in the winter, as treasurer for three not-for-profit organizations, Alan is kept busy all year round.

Sue Taylor-Foley, Board Secretary

Sue has held a variety of teaching and administrative positions within the education systems in Nova Scotia, Ontario and the United States.  Sue retired from her role as the Executive Director of Education Innovation Programs and Services with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in 2021.  That same year, she accepted a contract with the Educational Leadership Consortium of Nova Scotia as the Director of the Instructional Leadership Academy. 

Sue holds a graduate certificate in Workplace Innovation from Royal Roads University, an MEd from Georgia, a BEd from Queen’s and a BA from McMaster.

A resident of Chester for over 30 years, Sue has served on the Chester Playhouse and Foundation Boards and the Chester Yacht Club Executive.  She is a volunteer at the Chester Art Centre. Throughout the years, Sue has been active on many boards and committees both in education and in her community. 

Phil Bradfield, Development Committee Chair

Phil and his wife Judy moved to the South Shore in 1988 to continue their careers in healthcare both with positions at the South Shore Regional Hospital. Phil has a technical background and worked in the Biomedical Engineering department and Judy as Admin Support for various departments, both retired in 2020. During their time on the South Shore they raised their son Jordan, built a house, and enjoyed many of the activities on the South Shore. 

Phil has been active in charitable work for the last several years. Phil and Judy are enjoying family time currently living in Bedford but hope to return to the South Shore in the next few years.

Shelley Mann, Education Committee Chair

Shelley has had an interest in palliative care for many years. She trained as a palliative volunteer in 2015 and is a founding member of the South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society. Shelley currently chairs our Education Committee that is helping us all talk about and plan for end-of-life.  

Shelley worked as a pharmacist for more than 10 years, working in hospital pharmacies in Vancouver, Halifax, Bridgewater, and Lunenburg, until focusing all her energies on her family and volunteering. Shelley actively volunteers with her church, on several school committees, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association, representing the societies in the province.  

Shelley lives on Second Peninsula with her husband, who have three grown sons.

Michele Flack, Governance Chair

Michele Flack is a lifetime resident of Lunenburg County and has been active in the community for many years.  As a 30 year employee of Nova Scotia Health, she has a broad perspective on local healthcare needs and deficiencies.  With a background in management and Human Resources, she has been a fit for roles in the community such as Parish Council at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Bridgewater, Member of the Health Services Foundation Governance Committee and member of the Health Services Foundation Steering Committee for the Bursary Program, as well as other volunteer work.  As Chair of the Governance Committee, Michele serves on the SSHPCS to build foundational policies for current and future status.  Michele also assists with the online auction and golf tournament.

Liz Finney, Strategic Planning Communications

Liz has dedicated her career and personal life to public service. She has been an advisor to and served at the executive level in local, national, and global organizations with expertise in government relations, communications, and fund development. Liz is currently a mother of three, the Fund Development Director at Bonny Lea Farm, an End of Life Educator / Death Doula. Liz serves on a number of boards including the Canadian Association of Gift Planners Foundation, Dr John M T Finney Memorial Fund, Shoreham Village and South Shore Hospice Palliative Care Society.

Sally Oliver, Volunteer Chair

Sally lives in Milton and is a retired nurse.  She has worked in a hospital (Emergency and ICU), been a Family Practice Nurse and early in her career was the VON for Queens County.  Sally did take a twelve year leave from nursing and during that time owned and operated a retail store. 

Sally has always been interested in her community and has served on many boards throughout the years.  With her experiences in nursing and with family and friends, she was drawn to the SSHPCS board.  She believes anyone who is facing end-of-life should do so with dignity, compassion and comfort. 

Ruth Anne Zwicker, Fundraising Chair

Ruth Anne joined the Board of the SSHPCS in October of 2020 as a representative of Liverpool and Queens County.  She was born and raised in Liverpool as part of a very community minded family and has been an active volunteer for many organizations in her community over the years.    

Prior to retirement in 2017, she was employed with the NS Health Authority as a Senior Business/Systems Analyst for electronic health information systems. After retirement, she wanted to turn her energy to something that was important and made a difference.  The SSHPCS was a perfect fit.  Upon joining the board, she became part of the Development Committee and has been focused on fundraising.  Ruth Anne is the Chair of our annual Hope For Hospice Golf Tournament, a major fundraiser for the society.

Michael K. Power, Board Member

Michael attended Halifax Grammar School for his formative education, obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Mary’s University, and obtained his Bachelor of Laws Degree from Dalhousie University in 1976. He obtained a Queen’s Counsel (QC) appointment in 2008 and now holds the King’s Counsel (KC) designation.
He is a 40-year member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society as well as a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Lunenburg County Barristers’ Association.

Michael carries on an active general law practice and continues to represent clients in all Courts. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Lawyer Insurance Association of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Bar Council, Vice Chair of a Committee for the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, Legal Counsel on a Select Committee on Workers’ Compensation Board for the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia Police Commission. In addition, he was formerly General Counsel for the Automotive Trades Association of Nova Scotia, standing agent for the Federal Crown in the prosecution of offences under the Narcotic Control Act, The Income Tax Act and the Excise Tax Act.

Michael is an avid fisherman, sailor, golfer and gardener. He is currently on boards for
various organizations such as the LaHave River Salmon Association, Past Chairman of the
Fundraising Committee for the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, Past-President of the
K-40 Service Club, the Bridgewater Renaissance Committee and Past Chairperson for the
Sgt. Derek Burkholder Memorial Trust Fund.

Rosalee Smith, Board Member

Rosalee was born in Liverpool, NS. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1974, was employed by the Federal Government at what is now known as Canada Revenue Agency in various positions…ending her career as a Computer Systems Project Manager in 1994.  She then returned to her South Shore roots where she worked in health care at Queens General Hospital as ward clerk in the ER and Medical departments for 10 years.

She has been interested in Hospice since the death of her husband in 2017 and has experienced Hospice care for others through a friend and other volunteers. ‘I’m not afraid of dying, but I fear the process of dying’.


She has volunteered with many organizations, and continues to work in her church.
She loves to play bridge and hopes to return to golf this summer.