January 17, 2025, Victoria, BC – The Victoria Hospice Society (VHS) is proud to announce Marney Thompson, its Director of Bereavement Services, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. This distinguished honour was created to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023, and recognizes champions for hospice palliative care from coast to coast.
Launched by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, the medal is the first Canadian honour to mark a coronation and will be bestowed upon 30,000 deserving individuals across the country. The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, nominated Marney Thompson and a select group of exceptional British Columbians for the medal, with final approval from the Chancellery of Honours in Ottawa.
Marney Thompson, an internationally recognized expert in grief and loss, has been a vital part of Victoria Hospice since 1994. Her journey began as a community counsellor, and she has since held various roles, including working on the unit and the Palliative Response Team. Today, she leads as the Director of Bereavement Services, where her expertise has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s bereavement programs.
Marney is not only a skilled educator and researcher but also an active contributor to the field. She serves on the Canadian Grief Alliance and works closely with the BC Centre for Palliative Care on the provincial bereavement action plan. Her contributions extend to co-authoring numerous articles and the award-winning book, “Transitions in Dying and Bereavement: A Psychosocial Guide for Hospice and Palliative Care.” Her insights and knowledge are highly sought after, and she is a frequent speaker with the Canadian Virtual Hospice.
“We are incredibly proud of Marney and her remarkable contributions to hospice palliative care,” said Teri Henderson, CEO of Victoria Hospice Society. “Her commitment to supporting individuals and families through their most challenging times is truly inspiring, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her tireless efforts.”
The Victoria Hospice Society extends its heartfelt congratulations to Marney Thompson on this prestigious honour and looks forward to her continued leadership and impact in the field of hospice palliative care.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Durno, Communications Specialist
sarah.durno@victoriahospice.org
For more information on the award, please visit: