Denise Coghill

Denise has endured more loss than most of us can imagine. She first lost her
husband in an accident that also put her eldest son in a coma for months. Her son
recovered. Their second son died at 6 months of age due to a heart defect. Denise
later remarried, and gave birth to a premature baby boy, fraught with numerous
health problems, who lived most of his short life in a hospital setting. When Denise
wasn’t at the hospital with her baby boy, or taking care of her other children, she
was attending night school to get her education degree. She has raised very
accomplished children – one in medical school, one in physiotherapy, one in nursing
and one in wilderness outfitting. Last year she adopted a brother and sister, two
and four years old, from Ethiopia. Earlier this year, tragedy struck again when
Denise’s eldest son died in a workplace accident. So much loss would make the best
of us want to curl up and hide, but Denise persists in doing farm work, looking after
her children and substitute teaching. Denise amazes all who know her with her
positivity, her fortitude, and her courageous spirit.

Renee Brady

Renee was born with vision impairment, and as a girl she did all the same activities
as her twin sister, including horseback riding. Her impairment hasn’t slowed her
down whatsoever, despite being in pain every day. Renee recently secured funding
from two grants to develop a Therapeutic Equestrian Program in Kenora. She also
developed a workshop called “The Power of One: Your Voice Matters” for persons
with disabilities with the goal of helping them achieve independence, empowerment
and equality. Renee has also assisted individuals with healing after their residential
school experiences. Her positivity and dedication to helping others make Renee an
inspiration to all who meet her.

Katherine Nicholson

Born in 1930, Katherine was raised on a farm. Her father had purchased the land for
$1 when he immigrated from the Ukraine, under the condition that it be developed
into viable land. There were eight children in her family, two younger than herself.
When Katherine was eight years old her mother passed away, leaving her father to
raise the children alone. Times were very hard back then and the children worked
the farm while still trying to attend school.

Katherine married when she was 18, and went on to have six children.
Unfortunately, the relationship with her husband was abusive and after years of
torment, she gathered the courage to leave with her two youngest children to start
a new life.

In 1981, she bought a trailer in a mobile community and began working at The Bay to
support her two kids. Katherine was about to face her biggest challenge of all: she
was diagnosed with lung cancer and the doctors told her that she had no more than
two months to live. Since her chances of survival were very small, she agreed to
partake in an experimental procedure which consisted of a greater degree of
radiation and chemotherapy. Miraculously, the procedure worked. In 1995,
Katherine was once again diagnosed with cancer. After several rounds of radiation
and chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission.

In 2000, Katherine needed a heart bypass. During the procedure, her artery
ruptured. This is usually fatal for patients in surgery, but after several days of
unconsciousness, somehow Katherine pulled through and made a full recovery.
Today, at 78 years old, Katherine is living a full and rewarding life. She travels an
hour each way by bus to take care of her grandchildren and insists on living
independently. Katherine embodies the never quit spirit and lives her life to its
fullest.

Doug Mackie

Doug starts every day with the aim to make at least one person smile. Having
endured illness in his youth, and surviving cancer in his adult life, his passion for life
extends to everyone he meets and permeates everything he does. And Doug
certainly does a lot. He has been a volunteer for over 45 years, and always has
several different projects on the go. For example, he currently enjoys sharing his
passion for reading and literacy as a volunteer story teller, visiting daycares, youth
groups, schools and seniors centres to tell stories. Through his church, he has been
instrumental in helping a Colombian refugee family to adjust to their new life in
Winnipeg, the city Doug is so proud to call his hometown. An extensive list of Doug’s
contributions over the years would make a great novel. He is an extremely
generous and energetic man, whose truest joy is giving.

Arlene Wilkie

When diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, chemo treatments that caused heart failure
and given one month to live, Arlene decided to not give up. Seven years later she is
alive and well. Arlene is no stranger to overcoming the odds, when she was younger
she was diagnosed with polio and told she would never walk or be able to have
children. She now has three kids and six grandchildren. Because of this Arlene has
never taken her time for granted, she has a huge heart and is constantly giving
back to her community and helping those in need. She is a true inspiration.

Dory Rossiter

Dory relentlessly gives time and energy to help a very long list of organizations and
has been doing so for the past 40 years. She has strived to help people of all walks
of life; from motivational talks for youths to help prevent harassment and bullying,
running fundraisers for many different charities, organizing community clean ups,
food drives, winter coat drives to helping people struggling with cancer. Dory’s
generosity and kind heart have helped out her community in endless ways and show
no signs of stopping now.

Carol Lee Dahl

A widower who raised 5 children on a farm, Carol uses music to inspire herself and others. As a director of youth choral groups, she helped establish a show choir program at the local high school in the early 90s, which continues to this day. Many hours are invested each week in instruction, arrangements, choreography and practice, all culminating in a week of shows each semester. Carol also spent the last 20 years organizing, teaching, mentoring and conducting a choral group of young men from the area. This choir puts in more than 10 hours a week practicing and performing at retirement homes, weddings, community functions, hospitals, and school events for no charge. Recently diagnosed with cancer, Carol has not backed down, fighting the disease with the same energy she puts toward music. She rarely misses a practice.

Violet Gladue

A victim of domestic violence, Violet Gladue has overcome tremendous obstacles to break the all-too-common cycle of abuse. A mother of 11, Violet escaped an abusive marriage and moved her children to Edmonton for a fresh start. When Violet arrived in Edmonton, she was broke, illiterate and unable to speak English. Despite these challenges, she found work and raised her children as a single parent, learned English, and passed on the virtues of hard work and never giving up. Violet encouraged her children to pursue education, and once they finished school, she took her own advice and enrolled in NECHI's Drug and Alcohol Counseling Program (www.nechi.com). She completed the program with the help of a tutor and now uses her certification to help others dealing with these issues.

The obstacles in front of Violet continue. She is currently battling breast cancer, always sticking to her mantra of never giving up.

Joan Stumborg

A School Chaplain at Vanier Collegiate, Joan has counseled and contributed to the success of many students. Over and above her counseling duties, she has volunteered as a lacrosse coach, leads the Outreach team, and coordinates the Retreat team. The Labyrinth of Peace was created as a result of Joan's vision and perseverance. It connects religions, community, and schools in a meditation site labyrinthofpeace.ca. Joan's strength and passion for social justice make her an ideal "Never Quit" nominee.

Linda Marie Gossen

An advocate for families with children with disabilities, Linda Marie is raising two autistic children and a foster child with fetal alcohol syndrome. At age 33 she became a mature student in a Disability Studies diploma program, Linda Marie is a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, and is involved with many community organizations. Her spirit and tenacity embody the "Never Quit" ideal.