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Spring 2026 Newsletter
Issue # 002
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This spring, your chance to win comes with the power to make a difference. The Quadra Island Seniors Housing Spring Raffle is here, and it’s bursting with excitement — you won’t want to miss this!
Jump in, grab your tickets, and get ready for fantastic prizes and a feel-good way to give back to your community.
Every ticket supports safe, comfortable housing for seniors in our community — helping ensure our elders can continue to live with dignity, connection, and care right here on Quadra Island.
✨ Five amazing prize packages valued over $8000!
💛 One meaningful cause!
🏡 A stronger community for all!
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Tickets available at
INSPIRATIONS (The Cove)
COPPER COAST (Heriot Bay)
Visit our website: QISENIORSHOUSINGSOCIETY.CA
for prize specifics and to buy online.
Catch us at the Saturday Market during the month of May!
| | SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING DONORS! | | |
Saltaire Fishing
Insumo Property Solutions
Sarah Maclellan
Tantrum II
Triple M Fishing
All Clear Septic Services
Cliff Mooney Electrical
Bold Point Plumbing
Heriot Bay Tru-Valu
Aroma Cove Cafe
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Amped On Nutrition
The Pantry
The Clove
Cove Pharmacy
Quadra Builders
Volume Two Books
Quadra Island Thrift
Quadra Children's Centre
Quadra Island Golf
On Root Nursery
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Southend Farm & Winery
Farm to Table
Kameleon
Inspirations
Allie B Hair Salon
Heriot Bay Inn
Spirit of The West Adventures
Gowlland Harbour
Quadra Island Kayak
Sound, Seed Yoga
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Simple Sharings Program: Bringing Generations Together
The Simple Sharings program is a highlight at our seniors housing community, connecting residents and school-age children through laughter, curiosity, and meaningful moments.
Recently, we’ve bowled, decorated cookies, played charades, baked bread, and watched a movie with the Children’s Centre. The activities are fun, but it’s the connections that matter most.
When generations meet, children bring energy and fresh ideas, while residents share experience and history. Everyone benefits.
Research shows intergenerational programs like Simple Sharings are powerful. For seniors, they reduce isolation and lift spirits. For children, they build empathy, social skills, and respect.
Most of all, it’s the small moments—smiles, encouragement, and stories—that matter. These connections remind us that community is defined by relationships, not age.
| | In this issue, we chose to feature the life and spirit of Maru Jolar, a resident of QI Senior's
Housing for 10 years and a much beloved soul on Quadra Island.
Maru passed in December, 2025, but her legacy lives on in the hearts she uplifted,
encouraging us to live with kindness, courage, and joy. | | | |
Maru joined Senior Housing on O’Connor Road in 2016, and from the very start, her radiant spirit illuminated the lives of everyone around her. Her boundless warmth, infectious humour, and vibrant energy created a tapestry of unforgettable moments and lasting inspiration. She showed us all how to live with an open heart. Here are some of the ways Maru uplifted those who knew her.
Janet Mitchell knew Maru for over 50 years and always found her a wellspring of inspiration. Maru’s creativity, kindness, and humour transformed ordinary days into extraordinary memories. When Janet asked what she would want people to know, Maru responded, "I’m really glad I was here." These words echo her immense gratitude and the radiant warmth she poured into every moment, reminding us to cherish each day and each other.
Betty Doak recalled a favourite memory: while working in the garden, Maru brought flowers and surprised Betty’s husband, Mel, with them, filling the air with laughter. Maru’s thoughtful wit had a magical way of turning simple moments into celebrations, spreading joy and light wherever she went.
Rosanna Taylor shared that Maru was an immediate and unforgettable presence in her life, bringing laughter and, at times, tears through her heartfelt stories about friends, family, and her beloved grandchild. Maru was compassionate, determined, loving, fiercely loyal, and an extraordinary friend. She and Rosanna enjoyed a friendship rich with playful banter and deep connection. Maru cherished sitting outside with Carole Sentence and Rosanna, savouring the simple joys of companionship and conversation, always reminding others of the beauty in everyday moments.
Maru’s passion for her garden was matched only by her passion for life—she would rather buy flowers than cut her own, always seeking to add beauty to the world. Though Rosanna misses her every day, it is Maru’s unwavering grit and joyful spunk that continue to inspire all who remember her.
Scott Elam, Maru’s former next-door neighbour in Gowland Harbour, shared that young Maru entered their lives and found a place in their hearts that she would remain in forever. His simple, heartfelt words speak to the profound love and enduring impact Maru had on those lucky enough to know her.
In remembrance of Maru, the tenants came together to purchase a star in her honour—a radiant tribute befitting someone whose light shone so brightly and inspired so many. Even now, her spirit continues to shine, guiding, uplifting, and encouraging all who hold her memory close.
Maru’s friendship, laughter, strength, and generous spirit touched countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she encountered. She will forever be remembered not only with deep affection but also as a beacon of inspiration to all at Senior Housing.
| | It’s been a lively and heartwarming few months here,
with residents coming together to enjoy a variety of activities
that celebrate connection, creativity, fun and community spirit. | |
Trivia Night
We hosted a lively trivia night that quickly became the talk of the community. Every question focused on the unforgettable 1960s and 70s, igniting laughter and sharing stories as memories came flooding back. The friendly rivalry kept spirits high, and unexpected answers added to the fun as residents showcased their knowledge of days gone by. This engaging event sparked joy, fostered connections, and brought everyone together in a playful, entertaining atmosphere.
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Music Evenings
Our music gatherings have been a real highlight this season. One Sunday afternoon, we were treated to an unforgettable performance by our own multi-talented resident, David Pumple, joined by his friend from Victoria and local musician, George Nickoloff.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, pride, and an abundance of toe-tapping moments.
More recently, we kept the rhythm alive with a Friday evening show by two local musicians—Julie Frank and Howie Brown—who transformed an ordinary night into a magical experience.
Surrounded by great company and fantastic music, both events became cherished memories.
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Rock Garden
Adding to the spirit of pride and fun in our shared space, resident Scott Elam has created a truly eye-catching rock garden along one side of the building. With creative flair and dedication, he has transformed the area into a peaceful, inviting retreat that everyone can explore and enjoy. It’s a wonderful reminder of how our residents bring energy and personality to making our community feel like home.
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Pad Thai with Mitar
More recently, Mitar brought her infectious energy to another hands-on cooking class, this time guiding residents in crafting authentic Pad Thai.
The lively session was filled with laughter, mouthwatering aromas, and plenty of eager taste-testers sampling each step.
The best part came afterward, as residents enjoyed a festive meal together, savouring not just the food but the camaraderie.
The class was such a hit that there’s now a growing buzz for even more cooking adventures in the future.
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Looking Ahead Together
Back in February, our Board spent a day together talking about the future of Quadra Island Seniors Housing Society. It was a really good chance to step away from day-to-day tasks and look at the bigger picture—where we are, and where we’re headed.
Starting with Why
We began by revisiting our mission and vision—basically, why we exist and what we’re working toward.
At our core, our mission remains the same: to provide safe, affordable homes for seniors on Quadra. We are dedicated to helping residents access the supports they need to live well and maintain their independence, treating each person with respect and understanding.
It’s important to clarify that while we provide housing—not assisted living or medical care—we collaborate closely with community partners who offer these essential services. Our goal is to ensure everyone feels supported and connected.
What’s Going Well
There’s a lot to feel good about:
● All 22 of our units are full, with strong demand
● Our buildings are in good shape and relatively new
● We have solid community support
● And we’re in a stable financial position overall
We’re also lucky to have great partnerships on the island and an engaged Board and staff team.
What We’re Focusing On
Given everything happening economically, we’re keeping our focus practical and realistic over the next few years. A few key priorities came out of the day:
● Keeping things financially sustainable
● Building up our Board (we’re looking for a couple of new members!)
● Doing a better job of sharing our story with the community**
You’ll likely notice more updates from us—through this newsletter and local papers—as we work on that last piece.
Fundraising… With a Twist
We also discussed fundraising, recognizing that it can feel overwhelming in a small community. Moving forward, our approach will focus less on “just asking” and more on:
● helping people understand the bigger picture of seniors’ housing
● showing why it matters
● and inviting folks to be part of the solution in ways that make sense for them
A Shared Challenge
One thing that really stood out: the growing need for housing isn’t just “our issue”—it’s something the whole community is going to be navigating in the coming years.
We all have a role to play in that.
Thanks for Being Part of It
We are sincerely grateful to be part of such a caring community here on Quadra. This work is ongoing, and we promise to keep sharing updates along the way.
If you’ve ever considered getting involved—whether by joining the Board, helping spread the word, or supporting our fundraising efforts—we wholeheartedly welcome your interest and would love to connect.
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The talented volunteer board of directors at QISHS is a diverse group of dedicated individuals who bring expertise in leadership, finance, marketing, business development, healthcare, property management, and more. They provide strategic guidance, uphold the highest ethical standards, and advance QISHS's mission. Through their collaboration, commitment, and leadership, they play a vital role in driving the organization’s success and impact. We are deeply grateful to each and every one of them.
In each issue of Senior Moments, we invite you to get to know each Board Director.
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Linda Elias
QISHS Board Director 2025 - present
Linda Elias is not your average health information enthusiast—she’s a San Francisco native whose journey from scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins to supervising a 900-bed hospital’s records department is as entertaining as it is inspiring. After earning her degree in Health Information Sciences from Seattle University, Linda found herself wrangling paper records, microfiche, and even entire hospital wings dedicated to computer servers (yes, she still remembers the days before cloud storage). Her career has been a delightful mix of hospital hustle and island adventure, ultimately landing her on Quadra Island, where she set up and managed both local medical clinics for two decades.
If you ask Linda about her professional drive, she’ll tell you she simply wanted to support herself—no grand plan, just the courage to follow opportunities (and, okay, a Canadian sweetheart). Her love for efficiency even led her to consult on primary care office workflows for Island Health and the Division of Family Practice.
But Linda’s story isn’t just about data and clinics. She’s a creative soul who’s happiest making things with her hands, savouring meditative lap swims, and rewarding herself with a good steam or sauna. Her childhood in San Francisco was filled with long bike rides to Golden Gate Park and the beach—activities she now leaves to the next generation (sorry, Harley!).
Linda cherishes close family ties and the simple joy of seeing her children thrive as adults. Nearly 40 years on Quadra Island have only deepened her contentment and commitment to her community. With so many studio days ahead, Linda Elias continues to blend practicality, artistry, and a dash of humor into everything she does.To stay connected in this community.
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It Takes a Community!
As a non-profit organization, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering generosity of our island community. Your support directly empowers us to provide vital housing assistance to our valued residents, making a real difference in their lives.
Your contribution provides safe, affordable homes for seniors with limited incomes, ensuring they live with dignity, security, and peace of mind.
Our ability to maintain buildings, manage properties, and handle essential administrative services relies heavily on the generosity of compassionate donors like you.
Please consider donating
today and help us continue
this vital work!
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Win Big-Give Back Raffle Donors WORD SEARCH
Find all of our amazing
Raffle Prize Donors!
Click on the link below and have fun!
Quadra Puzzler Here!
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