We are pleased to announce our Keynote Speaker for the 2025 NWHS AGM: Susan L. Greig!
A long-time supporter of the New West Hospice Society, Susan’s warmth and generosity shines the moment you meet her. This year, she joins our AGM to share her story about the beautiful power of hospice for healing through loss and grief, and coming out the other side whole and thriving.
About Susan
Artist, Entrepreneur, Mentor
Susan L. Greig is a Métis artist, entrepreneur, and mentor whose work and life are rooted in creativity, community, and compassion. She is the owner and founder of Braid Art Studios & Gallery, now with three locations.
Before founding Braid Studios, Susan worked at BC Children’s Hospital (2005–2014), where she became known nationally as an innovator, leader, and mentor in patient- and family-centred healthcare advocacy. Her deep commitment to families in the healthcare system grew from her experiences with her daughter, who had a neurological brain disease. During that time, Susan became connected with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, later serving as a board member after her daughter’s passing.
At the heart of Susan’s work and everything she does is her philosophy: to help people live lives of courage in harmony with their values.
When not engaging her boundless creativity, Susan is an active and engaged member of our Compassionate Community. She is a frequent and familiar face at many NWHS public engagements. Susan dedicates her time to family friendly arts and crafts beneath the Hospice Society tent, so make sure to stop by and say hi!
Working with the New West Hospice Society
“In our culture talking about death is sensitive. We often soften the word death to passed away or use other euphemisms. It is a common experience to each of us, yet the topic of death is pushed under the rug, avoided and often denied.”
Susan worked with our society’s founder, Kay Johnson, at BCCH and found out through our local New West paper that she was involved with setting up the New West Hospice Society. This early involvement has inspired Susan to continue to keep an eye on the NWHS, providing support without question whenever it is needed.
When the Hospice Society was in need of affordable office space, Susan was first to jump at the opportunity to do whatever was in her power to support that need. We are so grateful to her for providing our offices at a reduced rental rate, allowing the NWHS to continue our work. On the partnership, Susan said: “I am delighted to help an organization that can have a huge impact on the mental health and well being of so many people.”
Finding beauty in end of life
” [When] I walked through the doors of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and I did not want to be there. It was a club I didn’t want to belong too.”
When Susan’s eight year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer she faced with every parent’s worst nightmare. At the most difficult time in her life, when she expected nothing but heartache and pain, she discovered instead the power of holistic care, boundless compassion, and unconditional love.
Above all else, she found life!
She learned that “hospice was much more about life than death. I learned end of life care is about choice in how we live and choose to spend our time together until and thru the time of a loved one’s death. Hospice has helped me see the beauty in end of life, in sadness and deep grief. It has helped me live my own life to the fullest while facing my own and my loved ones mortality.”
Susan served as a Canuck Place board member for a number of years and as a family liaison between B.C. Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place.
“I have direct experience in the beautiful power of hospice for dealing with the wide range of emotions death brings, for healing thru loss and grief and coming out the other side whole and thriving. I want everyone to have that experience.”