Our Amazing Team!
Don is the proprietor, as well as a full time service provider, for BWFS Ltd. He spent 27 years working in hospital health care, first as a speech-language pathologist, and then working in a variety of management/leadership positions, including most recently 12 years in the Veterans Care Program at Parkwood Hospital. During that time Don worked extensively with seniors and their families, as well as gaining an in-depth understanding of the integrated health care system in southwestern Ontario. He founded BWFS in October of 2017 in response to concerns he had about the way in which care to seniors was currently being delivered, both in institutional and private residential settings.
Colleen has been involved in various roles as a health care provider for over 25 years. She began her career with the Red Cross first providing direct care and then as a supervisor, as well as Occupational Health & Safety Adviser. She has also worked as an Activities Coordinator in a long term care setting, and as the Public Education Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Perth County. Colleen also created and operated her own business providing housekeeping services in the St. Marys area
Penny Arratoon, Service Provider
Penny joined the BWFS team in July of 2018. After a 25 year career in management and quality control, she made a decision to follow her passion for caring for seniors in their homes. After caring for her own parent for a 2 year period, Penny became a regular volunteer visitor at a local long term care facility, and saw working with BWFS as a great way to connect with seniors in all aspects of their lives; Penny finds great joy in knowing the services she provides are helping seniors continue to live well in the homes they love.
Michele Rourke, Service Provider
With 34 years of hands-on experience in providing assistance to a wide range of individuals needing support in their activities of daily living, BWFS welcomed Michele to the team in November of 2018. Michele has extensive experience working with Community Living in St. Marys and area, together with many years providing a variety of services to Kingsway Lodge. She is very hardworking and energetic, and loves to bring fun to everything she does!
Trish Sawatzky, Service Provider
We welcomed Trish to the BWFS team in June 2019. With over 20 years experience as a PSW caring directly for seniors, as well as adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, Trish is well suited to take on a great variety of situations where support is needed in clients’ homes. Over the years she has been involved in a volunteer capacity with numerous organizations in a variety of roles, which further illustrates her generous, caring spirit and amazing energy level. She loves to be active, and current interests include running, cycling, walking, golf, cooking and baking.
Susan Christie, Service Provider
Susan joined our team in September 2019. In addition to many years of providing personal care to a close family member, Susan brings a rich history of service to others, whether it be in her church community, hospice volunteer, catering to the food needs of groups large and small, expanding the minds of children and adults through her work in library services, or serving as a workshop facilitator, to name just a small sample. Her passion is to “share of my time to create a positive and caring environment for clients, created with their needs and desires in mind”.
Susan Clarke, Service Pr0vider
We welcomed Susan to our team in August of 2021. Despite an already very busy worklife as a manager in the service industry as well as in retail, Susan has recently decided to build on the past 13 years of caring for elderly family members and offer that same care and compassion to other seniors in our area.
Marylynne Anderson, Service Provider
For a period of 20 years, Marylynne has worked as an independent home care service provider, offering a variety of services to seniors in St. Marys in their own homes, including numerous referrals through the St. Marys Friendship Center. These services have included companionship, respite care, medication reminders, assistance with personal hygiene, light housekeeping, meal preparation, assistance with mobility and transfers, recreational walking, laundry and yardwork. We are delighted that she is now also going to share her care and compassion with our clients!
Beth Mitchell, Service Provider
Beth joined our team in March 2022. She has always had a passion for seniors, children, and “furry friends”. She has especially enjoyed caring for her grandmother, first in “Oma’s” own home, and more recently as an essential caregiver in her long term care home, where Beth also enjoys engaging with other seniors and bringing a smile to their faces. She is eagerard to use her compassion and empathy to help other seniors enjoy the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible!
Christine Lee, Service Provider
Christine joined the BWFS team in November 2022. Due to covid Christine retired from her position as Office Manager at Gallery Stratford where she had been employed for 32 years. Prior to that she had travelled to Wingham on a regular basis to help care for her aging mother and father. Seeing how important it was to him to remain in the home he loved she moved her mother to Stratford to live with her after his death. After 4 years her mother has recently been moved into LTC allowing Christine time to take the skills and compassion she had developed while looking after her parents and put them to work helping others. When not in her garden, in an arena watching her grandchildren play hockey, working on her family history, you will possibly find her hiking the local trails.
Terri Shultz, Service Provider
Terri was delighted to become a member of BWFS Ltd. in November 2022, after spending almost 10 years as a Personal Support Worker in communities such as Oshawa, St. Thomas and Stratford. Her focus in those settings was providing care for adults and seniors with disabilities, including palliative care. She has gained a reputation for making her clients feel like “family”, always going the extra mile, and putting all her heart into the care she gives. We are so excited to have her join us!
William Ruthig, Service Provider
We welcomed Will to our team in the summer of 2022. In addition to a strong commitment to helping others, Will also has a passion for plants and learning about how they live, as well as growing/taking care of them! He also enjoys spending time with animals, and when he isn’t working, he loves to spend time walking through the forest with his dog. He loves to cook and bake too!
Corinne Beare, Service Provider
Wendy Ewert, Service Provider, Administrator
Wendy has always shared Don’s passion for caring for seniors, and has been his greatest supporter every step of the way. She brings the personal experience of having cared for her own parent, and believes that every senior deserves the opportunity to make their own choices about how they want to live their lives at home.
Bart Oleksy, Website Design and Support
