About Us

Hospice palliative care is an approach that strives to improve the quality of life of people, their families and caregivers facing the problems associated with life-threatening illnesses.

Since 1986 we have been providing care, support, education, equipment and companionship, FREE of charge to the residents of NOTL and their families

All Ages,
All Stages

We have grown from a small office in the nurses’ residence, to the old hospital site location while we await our new office space expected to be ready in spring of 2022.

Our small but mighty team of approximately 16 volunteers has expanded, growing to a team of over 45 dedicated, educated, and compassionate individuals. We are like-minded and driven by a passionate desire to support individuals facing one of the most crucial times in their lives.

We believe that the ending of a life deserves the same amount of attention, care, and nurturing that the beginning of life does.

Although we may enter life with no handbooks, we know that we all hold a great responsibility to love, support and care for one another. To be fully effective at the end of life stage, we must strive to be a known presence in active life.

The sooner we can assist those in need, the better.

About Our

Executive Director

Bonnie Bagnulo

Our Executive Director, Bonnie Bagnulo, comes to Palliative Care with over 20 years of practical business experience and 25 years working in social services.

She brings with her a background which includes Funeral Home services, Child Psychology, Thanatology , working with children in Ministry, Fundamentals in Bereavement Counselling Skills and Palliative Care.

Bonnie is an excellent facilitator, possessing incredible attention to detail, and most importantly, has an unequivocally compassionate nature.

Personally, she has suffered tremendous loss, ultimately guiding her to her true calling so many years ago. She is a self-motivated individual, driven by her passion for nurturing and educating others on a full scope of practice in the Palliative Care approach.

Her goal is to bring dignity and quality to end of life healthcare.

About

Our Volunteers

Our Community Support Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and through them, we change lives.

As a result of their remarkable dedication and kindness, the Community Support Volunteers can come alongside our clients to assist them and their families in so many ways.

Our Volunteers have proven you do not need to be a healthcare
provider to bring great comfort and support to others.

Bonnie Bagnulo, Executive Director

Our volunteers exhibit an incredible power to listen and to show compassion. We would even say that it is a CSV’s most valuable skill and responsibility.

Our team cares for people of all ages, stages and backgrounds, with all types of illness and are available throughout the entire course of an illness.

With specialized training provided, they are also available for companioning caregivers journeying through bereavement after death.

Volunteers Are Our Greatest Strength

Are you keen on listening to others, are supportive and focused on the clients’ and caregivers’ needs?
We have multiple volunteer opportunities that you'd be perfect for!

There are many ways to become involved. Become a Volunteer today!

Get Involved

About

Our Board of Directors

Executive Team

Anna is the Owner and Director of Care of local Homecare Agency Rose Hill Lane.

Anna is passionate about providing quality care to people living with limitations throughout the Niagara Region. Born and raised in Niagara,

Anna is honored to contribute her knowledge and experience to the Niagara on the Lake Palliative Care Service.

General Practitioner/Physician Consultant, Niagara North Family Health Team – NOTL Site

Karen Berti is a physician practicing in the Niagara region since 1997. She has a family medicine practice with the Niagara North Family Health Team in Niagara on the Lake .

Throughout her career she has worked in emergency medicine , brain trauma rehabilitation , elderly care , palliative care and MAID assessments. Karen has a high regard for Palliative Care, and believes it to be an essential part of healthcare.

She lives in Niagara on the lake with her husband and two adult sons.

Kathryn has worked in the education field for many years as a teacher, researcher, consultant, project manager, and mentor. She is passionate about data and its role in evidence-based decision making. Kathryn is a specialist in large-scale assessments and big-data projects. Most recently, she worked with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada and has had the privilege of representing Canada on multiple international advisory boards. She is a small business owner and the President of the Progressive Education Research Group.

Volunteering plays a vital role in shaping and supporting a community. As a new member of this community, I feel privileged to be asked to “give back” to NOTL through this essential organization.

Private Practice Physician

Jen is a family physician and assistant at surgery in Niagara.

She was raised in NOTL and returned to work here after completing medical school and her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Ottawa.

Prior to training in Ottawa, she also completed her BSc in Environmental Science at Brock University.

Having seen first-hand the warmth and care of end-of-life treatment received by her two parents, Rebecca wishes to give back to this loving and supportive community. After moving to Canada 16yrs ago, Rebecca left her career in law and went to work for the Toronto Botanical Garden (“TBG”), initially as the adult education director, then as Head of New Business and Finance, and finally as Deputy Director. She served on the board of directors with the TBG and its finance committee and left in 2012 to return to school and pursue a Ph.D. in art history at the University of Toronto.

Directors

Petra is a lifelong resident of NOTL and owned and operated Lincoln Interiors in Virgil for over 30 years until closing it in 2019.

Her husband became terminally ill in 2013 and NOTL Community Palliative Care Service entered her life, helping her to care for her husband at home. After he passed away in spring of 2014, she and her children were involved in the grief counselling offered by NOTL Community Palliative Care. It helped them heal emotionally and spiritually.

Petra was thrilled when the board asked her to join as a Community Liaison the following year. She is grateful and enriched to be able to give back to this organization and the community in this way.

Rich has always been involved in the community, “raising my children to be exposed to volunteerism and giving back”. Rich was an active member of Niagara College Hospitality Advisory Committee, Niagara Falls Sunrise Rotary for 16 years, committee member of St. Catharine’s General Hospital Ride for Heart and Big Move Cancer Ride, member and chair of City of Niagara Falls Recreation Committee, and the Gale Centre Arena fundraising committee.

Rich truly enjoys connecting with people and helping whenever possible. Most recently raising funds for children’s charities in the process. Rich is proud to say that “in addition to having some great people run with me, we have raised just under $5000 for a variety of charities. I always tell people that my hardest day of running pales in comparison to the challenges cancer patients face during their struggle”

Community Support

Joan is currently a registered psychotherapist and has been in private practice for 28yrs, has worked in community agencies for 20yrs prior to that.

At present Joan also sits on the Board of a Community Church, and has served as a member for 12 years. She has held various volunteer roles including prison ministry work, distress center, and training support for a local shelter.

Joan was part of the original Palliative Care Team here in Niagara-on-the-Lake back in 1988.

She is happy to be back offering support where needed in our community and within our organization.

Vaughn Goettler is the CEO of Right Time Group of Companies, where he has grown the business into Canada’s largest privately held HVAC residential contractor. Residing in Niagara-on-the-Lake since 2015, Vaughn is a proud husband, father, and grandfather. He holds an MBA from McMaster University, a B.Ed. from the University of Toronto, and an Hon. B.A. from McMaster.

Through the Goettler Family Foundation, Vaughn supports educational initiatives, local arts, cultural preservation, conservation, and global humanitarian projects, with a strong focus on making a positive impact in the Niagara region and beyond.

Community Support

Catherine, originally from Surrey, UK, was an Co-Owner/Director of Big Bird Sports, specializing in the supply of promotional goods into Premiership Football Clubs.

She moved to Canada in 2004 and joined Simpson’s Pharmacy in 2006, spending many years specializing in home health care. Catherine now works in the role of Director of Operations.

She loves working within the community of Niagara on the Lake and is excited and honoured to be asked to be part of the Palliative Care team.

Catherine believes that care, dignity and compassion should be accessible to all as they reach the end of life.

Support Members

Bonnie is an excellent facilitator, possessing incredible attention to detail, and most importantly, has an unequivocally compassionate nature.

Her goal is to bring dignity and quality to end-of-life healthcare.

Trish comes to us with a background in both healthcare and office work.

While living several years overseas, exposure to many cultures is an asset to our varied clientele.

After retiring to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2016, volunteering included driving for Wheels of Hope, working in the Office of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and volunteering with Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care Service.

“I look forward to a long relationship with Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care Service as we grow and expand. We are in exciting times.”

Melissa comes from an administrative background with a degree in Sales and Marketing. She has developed the skills necessary to effectively communicate in a professional and compassionate environment.

Melissa is always looking for ways to give back to the community, from being on the parent school council; to fundraising for various organizations such as FACS Niagara; to picking up garbage off the streets with her children. Raising her children to give back to this world is her top priority. Over the last 10 years, Melissa has lost a long list of very important people in her life. She has turned her grief into purpose and is very passionate about helping others to do the same.

Melissa’s warm and welcoming style is the perfect fit for leading our Volunteer Network. As well as matching our clients to the right volunteer personalities.

Geoff Straw is a Registered Psychotherapist with 30+ years of experience. He has provided therapy and support to individuals, groups, and workplaces.

Geoff specializes in providing support to caregivers and individuals who are coping with illness and end-of-life care. He also specializes in comprehensive grief and bereavement support.

While completing research with cancer patients during the M.A. program, Geoff developed a strong interest in helping individuals and families cope with the stress of illness and focused on reducing anxiety and finding meaning in life.

Geoff also has a keen interest in promoting well-being through talk therapy, mindfulness practice and reducing anxiety for various life circumstances and transitions. He has worked as part of a team at the North Shore Palliative Care program in North Vancouver, B.C., B.C. Cancer Agency, and more recently – Hospice Niagara.

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