10/15/2026
On October 2, Stephanie Loewen, Julia Hoeppner, and I had the privilege of attending Chris Summerville's retirement celebration at the Mennonite Heritage Village Auditorium in Steinbach.
Hosted by the ever-positive Ace Burpee, the afternoon was filled with heartfelt tributes, reflections, and greetings from across Canada celebrating a career dedicated to recovery, dignity, hope, and advancing mental health supports. It was also a pleasure to finally meet Ace's mother, Jane Burpee, in person.
The event brought together family, colleagues, volunteers, supporters, and leaders from across the mental health sector. It was wonderful to reconnect with long-time supporters and volunteers including Donna Beaton, Patti Reagan, Karen Dunlop, and many others whose contributions have helped strengthen our community over the years.
One of the messages that resonated most deeply came from Julia, who shared that Chris has "passed the torch" to all of us. It was a powerful reminder that leadership is not only about what we accomplish ourselves, but also about inspiring and empowering others to continue the work.
The afternoon also included music from Tim Osmond Bluegrass, ensuring that a little Alabama-inspired sound was part of the celebration.
Seeing Chris surrounded by family and connecting with leaders such as Jeff James, President of the Board of Directors for the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, Marion Cooper, Lead Executive Director with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Stephanie Loewen, Board President of Peer Connections Manitoba, and Julia Hoeppner, Executive Director of Peer Connections Manitoba, was truly inspiring.
Thank you, Chris, for your decades of service, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to ensuring people living with mental health challenges are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Your legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.
