Today marks a transitional day for Menno Place as we said good-bye to Karen Biggs, our CEO for the past 9.5 years.
Karen has been a trusted, inspiring and faithful leader of Menno Place. She has advocated for seniors in her role as BC Care Providers President.
Under Karen’s leadership, we have seen significant improvement in the Menno Place properties (putting green, courtyard improvements, updated spa tubs, renovations, Living Waters Garden and many more innovations). Karen has inspired and rallied us, leaving a Leadership Team that is competent and capable.
Until the MBS Board announces the CEO replacement, Kathrin McMath will be the Acting CEO.
Please read Karen’s final letter to her staff (below).
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Good Bye to the Staff – Karen Biggs’ Retirement:
As Menno enters 2023 to celebrate it’s 70th Anniversary, the Lord has different plans for my life as I move on alone to tackle my breast cancer journey and then find a ministry in retirement.
I am truly sorry that I did not get a chance to thank each and everyone of you personally for all the wonderful things you do every day to serve our residents, their families and each other.
I experienced a taste of your love from the West 1 Home staff while they took excellent care of my darling husband, Peter for 15 months before he passed.
I was amazed over and over how thoughtful, loving and kind everyone here is. I knew we give great care, but I didn’t really know that we give EXCEPTIONAL Care!!
I have seen many, many changes while I was here for the past almost 10 years!! I am thankful for all of you who put up with the changes and helped with them. I am disappointed that I did not get to rebuild our buildings for you but it is in God’s hands (and Fraser Health’s) as to when that gets done.
I am optimistic that Covid may have helped us move that project forward. I know that you are in great hands with the fantastic Leadership Team here at Menno and I have every confidence that the board will pick a great replacement for my position. I know that they are ready to announce my successor very soon as I had dinner with the board last night and they assure me it is forth coming.
Until they make an announcement, Kathrin McMath will be Acting CEO in my place.
I will continue to pray for all of you and the campus as I go forward. My radiation and medication pick ups are across the street at ARH so I will pop in to visit and attend Prayer Circle when I drive in from Langley if the times work.
Thank you for your prayers and your support these past 3 Covid years. It has been a tough pandemic for all of us and thanks to you we have done a great job handling it here at Menno. I wish fervently that we had not lost anyone to that disease!
Thank you for your diligence to keep our people and each other safe.
I look forward to the day that your unmasked faces will again show the smiles that I know live behind them.
All the best, may the Good Lord bless and keep you in His Loving arms.
Karen L. Biggs
Thank you, Karen, for your faithful work at Menno Place over the past 9.5 years!
You have led in a way that has made us very proud of the care we give and the way you’ve improved the campus of care.
We pray that you will have a wonderful retirement as you continue to find ways to use your gifts for God’s glory and the benefit of those in need.
The Leadership Team