Francesca Hilborn and Tracey Walker have been recognized for their years of service to Victoria Hospice, with Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Victoria Hospice Society.
Francesca Hilborn
Francesca’s connection with Victoria Hospice began over a decade ago through the Teeny Tiny Garden Tour, where her first role was as a garden gatekeeper. Soon after, she became the Volunteer Coordinator, a role she has truly enjoyed for the past 11–12 years. She cherishes the opportunity to bring together enthusiastic volunteers and help create an event that helps showcase the generosity of the community.
Her commitment extends well beyond the gardens. For approximately ten years, Francesca has greeted participants at the Hike for Hospice registration desk, working alongside other longtime volunteers to ensure a warm and efficient welcome for every walker.
Francesca’s involvement in the Cycle of Life Tour began at the registration desk in 2017, she also helped assemble cyclist kit bags. After a couple of years, she and her husband, Bill, decided they wanted to experience the full weekend and signed on to help wherever needed and began supporting venue logistics. When a new Chef took on the Saturday night buffet, Francesca joined forces with her to provide support both before the event and all during event weekend. Most recently, she and Bill have taken on the Sunday morning task of placing signage for one of the cycling routes on Salt Spring Island, a role they look forward to continuing in the years ahead.
For Francesca, volunteering with Victoria Hospice is a joyful way to contribute to a cause she believes in, while also building meaningful connections and sharing memorable experiences with her fellow volunteers.
Tracey Walker
After 20 years in Island Health’s Finance department, Tracey accepted what was meant to be a six-month temporary posting as Financial Accountant at Victoria Hospice, and never looked back. She quickly immersed herself in volunteering for events, joking that she was hired because she could swim, given that the Hospice Swimathon was a major fundraiser in 2007. That same year, she also volunteered as a gatekeeper for the Teeny Tiny Garden Tour and soon joined the event committee.
As a proud member of the Hospice staff, Tracey was always happy to give her time beyond her workday, supporting countless events over the years. After a combined 35 years of service with Island Health and Victoria Hospice, she retired in 2021 but continues to be a dedicated presence at signature hospice fundraising events. She’s a familiar face at Hike for Hospice and Fashion for Compassion, plays a key, multi-day role in the Cycle of Life Tour, and serves as Lead Garden Scout and liaison for the Teeny Tiny Garden Tour, a role that keeps her quietly busy year-round recruiting participants. (After all, who says you can’t spot a great garden in the snow? Good bones are good bones!)
For Tracey, volunteering is a way to give back to an organization she deeply believes in and to honour the extraordinary work of the clinical and psychosocial teams. As she says, “I always said the magic happens on the third floor, and out in the community, through the care and volunteer support for patients and their families. I was just up in the ‘Admin-osphere.’ I’m happy to continue lending a hand to an organization I truly believe in.”
The awards were presented at the 2025 AGM on September 26, 2025.