Heal From Within
Our Mission
We inspire hope and healing for people in the Ottawa Region grieving the loss of a loved one.
Our Values
Empathy | Patience | Kindness | Compassion | Courage | Companionship | Self-Care
Our ongoing commitment at BFO Ottawa is to actively listen, learn, and lead by example, ensuring that our organization is diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all individuals where people from diverse cultural, sexual, gender and other backgrounds feel that they can be supported in their grief journeys.
Our History
We have been operating in Ottawa since 1978 when two mothers came together through a common experience of losing a child.
We are part of a provincial network : Bereaved Families of Ontario.
Our Wonderful Office Staff
Jane Davey
(she/her/elle)
Program Manager & Bookkeeper
Jane has been involved with BFO Ottawa since 2004 following the death of her daughter Emily. She is a grief support facilitator, Program Manager and a previous Board member. Jane retired as a financial analyst after spending her career at Calian and The Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport Authority.
Monique Strathern
(she/her/elle)
Volunteer Coordinator
Monique Strathern joined the BFO Ottawa staff in 2023. She brings to BFO Ottawa a background in training, business development, event planning, finance and working with volunteers. She is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant, a business owner and is involved in the local business networking community. After losing her best friend tragically, Monique turned to BFO Ottawa for support. Later, she chose to give back to BFO by volunteering as a grief and bereavement facilitator. Monique enjoys camping, backpacking, and hiking with her family.
Our Dedicated Board of Directors
Micheline Lepage
(she/her/elle)
Board Chair
Micheline joined our Board in January 2021. She held positions with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), among other companies. Micheline retired from a career in information technology in 2019. She participated in BFO Ottawa's programs after the loss of her son Bruce to cancer in 2014. She is a trained facilitator who supports others who have lost a child.
Stéphanie Fragman
(she/her/elle)
Director Fundraising
Stéphanie joined the BFO Ottawa Board in March 2022, bringing with her over 20 years experience in the non-profit sector. Since 2014, she has been the Director of family services at the Vanier Community Services Centre in Ottawa overseeing a wide range of children, youth, and family programs. She is fully bilingual and has lived experience with bereavement having lost her spouse in 2001.
Barrie Marfleet
(he/him/il)
Director, Provincial Representative and Fundraising
Barrie joined the Board in September 2023. He is currently retired and a now resident of Stittsville (Ottawa). Before retirement, he was the COO and Ontario President for the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and prior to that, he was the Senior Business Development Manager for Ajilon Consulting. Barrie is an active sailor and boating enthusiast. He enjoys playing the piano and the accordion and entertaining seniors. He also enjoys creative cooking.
Kate Capogreco
(she/her/elle)
Director
Kate started out her work life as a Chartered Accountant and then discovered that she was drawn to working with people who were navigating deep personal challenges. She completed a Master’s of Pastoral Studies at St. Paul University and went on to a rewarding career as a caseworker with social services at the City of Ottawa. Five years ago, she started working as a Specialist with the Community Funding team at the City, a position from which she recently retired. She is excited to bring her knowledge of grants and funding to support BFO.
Samantha Thompson
(she/her/elle)
Director Communications
Samantha joined the board in February of 2024, bringing deep expertise in public affairs and strategic communications in health care, honed through her work supporting various health organizations and wellness charities. She has worked across a broad range of industries as a strategic communications and government relations consultant. Samantha's personal experience with grief and loss, coupled with her active involvement in the community, underscores her dedication to supporting BFO’s mandate and those grappling with similar challenges.
Larry Cadman
(he/him/il)
Director
Larry Cadman has been involved in providing grief support since November 2012 following the death of his son Mitchell. Since then, Larry has been extremely involved in various functions of grief support and remains active in sharing his personal experience and growth, with the loss of both his son Mitchell and recently with the passing of his wife Paulette. Larry retired after serving 21 years in the military and 20 years with the public service. Larry enjoys many life experiences including hiking, kayaking, biking, weight training, playing drums and the guitar in his spare time. His commitment to give back and help others, will have a huge impact and contribution to the BFO Ottawa bereavement community.