Who We Are
We are a member-owned funeral planning cooperative serving Albertans since 1966. Partnering with locally-owned funeral homes in major centres across the province, we ensure access to affordable funeral arrangements and pre-planning services, making dignified end-of-life care available to every Albertan.
How We Work
Our work is guided by integrity, compassion, and expertise. We empower our members through education and advocacy, and ensure compassionate support is available through our trusted funeral service providers to navigate end-of-life planning.
What We Do
What we do: We offer strategies and resources for affordable and respectful end-of-life planning. Guided by cooperative values, we adapt to meet our community's evolving needs. We foster inclusivity, value diverse perspectives, and advocate for the dignity of every individual. Our expertise provides compassionate, informed, and equitable support to our community.
Our Events
Our events support and engage our members and community through educational workshops, community gatherings, member meetings, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative events. Our events are designed to educate, connect, and provide compassionate support to our community.
Foster & McGarvey now Connelly & McKinley
As of November 1, 2024, Foster & McGarvey Funeral Homes, a long-standing and trusted provider for our CMS members in the Edmonton area, will become part of the Connelly-McKinley family. This change reflects a shared commitment to compassion and continuity of care for you and your loved ones.
We want to reassure you that the personalized, respectful service you’ve come to know from Foster & McGarvey will continue under the Connelly-McKinley name. They remain dedicated to honoring all CMS member benefits and ensuring that the values we hold close—dignity, understanding, and support—remain central to their work. If you have any questions or simply wish to speak with us about this transition, please reach out. We’re here for you, just as we’ve always been, every step of the way.
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Sylvia Kasper,
Board Chair 
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Sylvia joined the board of CMS in 2007. She is a former crown prosecutor. She is actively involved in the Calgary Lithuanian Canadian Community. Sylvia currently directs the audit function of the board, assists with the payment processing of new memberships, provides group presentations and manages administrative issues.
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Tim Duthie,
Vice Chair 
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Tim Duthie grew up in a rural family with deep roots in the cooperative movement. His first job was with a co-op in rural Alberta, and he went on to build over 20 years of experience working for and with cooperatives, including UFA. He is currently working with different organizations as a fractional sales leader.
Tim is also an active community volunteer, having coached numerous youth sports teams in hockey, basketball, soccer, and baseball. He also volunteers as a mentor with Higher Landing in "The Grizzly Den." |
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Debbie Patterson,
Treasurer 
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Deb Patterson joined the board in 2023 after volunteering on the End of Life Advisory Committee in 2022-2023. She assumed the role of Treasurer in January 2024.
Deb brings a wealth of experience helping clients deal with end-of-life planning as part of her tax practice. |
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Miriam Carey,
Director 
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Miriam Carey recently retired as a Full Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University in Calgary. With a focus on governance and leadership, she has served on numerous boards in the Calgary area for over 20 years. A CMS member and advocate since 2016, Miriam brings extensive experience to the board.Her past roles include Public Bencher for the Law Society of Alberta, Director of the Calgary Humane Society for over a decade (including Chair and Past Chair), and member of the Mount Royal University Board of Governors. Miriam also wrote 100 Years of Connecting Lives; Calgary Humane Society 1922-2022 to mark the Humane Society’s centennial. Additionally, she volunteers with the Foundation for Ontological Leadership Education, contributing to leadership training and faculty development.
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Susan Costello,
Director 
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Susan Costello served on the CARP Board of Directors - Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians. She retired from CARP in 2015 and joined the CMS board where she continues her advocacy efforts.
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Terry Geib,
Past Chair
Past Chair
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Dianne Fehr,
Director 
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Dianne Fehr is a values-driven executive with 23 years of non-profit experience as a founder, builder, and leader. She is best known for establishing Windmill Microlending (formerly Immigrant Access Fund Canada), which became Canada’s largest microloan program, lending $20 million to 3,000 internationally trained immigrants over 11 years.As the founding Executive Director, Dianne shaped and led Windmill, earning national recognition and becoming a Finalist for the 2016 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in the Social Change category. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and governance, Dianne brings strong communication abilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to her board work.
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Don Gnatiuk,
Director 
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Don Gnatiuk holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Royal Roads University, as well as an associate degree in Fire Sciences and a number of designations and certificates, including Board Oversight for Strategy Change Management, Crown Director Effectiveness and Not-for-profit Governance Essentials. He holds an ICID.D designation from the Institute of Corporate directors, and has a strong record of Board membership. He recently retired as President and CEO of Grand Prairie Regional College. Don believes strongly in principled policy governance and open communication.
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Ross McNichol,
Secretary 
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Ross McNichol joined the CMS board in 2023 after serving on the End of Life Advisory Committee from 2022 to 2023. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Ross ran his own practice until his retirement, when he sold it to a leading accounting firm in Calgary. Ross is currently serving as the Chair of the Financial Oversight Committee and is the Board Secretary.
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Meet our Staff
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Terry Geib,
Executive Director 
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Terry Geib became the first Executive Director of the Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS) in 2024, after serving on the CMS board since 2009. With extensive experience on cooperative boards at both provincial and national levels, Terry brings deep expertise in governance, strategic planning, and community leadership.
In addition to her leadership role, Terry contributes to CMS through writing, graphic design, and strategic planning initiatives. She retired in 2023 from a 33-year career as a business strategist with The City of Calgary, and now focuses on guiding CMS’s growth and operations with a passion for cooperative principles and end-of-life planning. |
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Barb Montgomery,
Membership Services Coordinator 
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Barb Montgomery became the CMS Membership Services Coordinator in January 2017, following a 30-year career in hotels and hospitality. In her role, Barb manages membership inquiries, assists with telephone applications, maintains member records, and ensures smooth communication between members and service providers. Her warm, caring nature and attention to detail are highly valued by the Board.
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Vacant Board Positions
The board is looking to fill several director positions and is looking for members willing to sit on committees. A great way to give back and gain valuable experience!
Qualifications
In addition to the qualifications required under the Cooperatives Act of Alberta, directors must have a membership in the cooperative, be committed to the cooperative’s mission and strategic directions, be willing to commit the time required, assume responsibilities needed to manage the cooperative effectively and be open to learning.
An ideal candidate for board membership will have some experience in one of the following areas:
Board members are expected to:
Board Director Terms are for three (3) years to a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms. Committee terms are one year with the option to renew.
How to apply
Interested candidates should contact our Board Chair, Sylvia Kasper at 403-248-2044 or [email protected].
Qualifications
In addition to the qualifications required under the Cooperatives Act of Alberta, directors must have a membership in the cooperative, be committed to the cooperative’s mission and strategic directions, be willing to commit the time required, assume responsibilities needed to manage the cooperative effectively and be open to learning.
An ideal candidate for board membership will have some experience in one of the following areas:
- Finance, Accounting and Audit
- Legal and Governance
- Marketing and Advertising (Build a campaign!)
- Member Engagement (Deliver Zoom or In-person Presentations)
- Social Media Posting
- Videography (Create 1-min infomercials)
Board members are expected to:
- Prepare for and participate in board meetings either in-person or remotely
- Listen to others’ views, advocate their own, identify common interests and alternatives, and be open to compromise
- Support governance decisions once made
- Participate in the review of the cooperative’s mission and objectives and in the development of a strategic plan
- Help the board to monitor the performance of the cooperative in relation to its mission, objectives, core values and reputation
- Abide by the by-laws, code of conduct, conflict of interest and other policies that apply to the board
- Participate in the approval of the annual budget and monitor the financial performance of the cooperative
- Help establish, review and monitor operational policies
- Participate in the hiring of, and if required, the releasing of individuals or companies who are employed by or who provide consulting services to the Board
- Participate on one or more board committees
- Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting
- Be an ambassador for the cooperative
- Keep informed about community issues relevant to the mission and objectives of the cooperative.
Board Director Terms are for three (3) years to a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms. Committee terms are one year with the option to renew.
How to apply
Interested candidates should contact our Board Chair, Sylvia Kasper at 403-248-2044 or [email protected].
Why Join?
Cost Savings: We offer affordable end-of-life planning services that ease financial strain on families.
Simplified Planning: Our pre-planning services reduce stress for families and ensure members' wishes are respected.
Consumer Protection: We ensure transparent pricing and services to protect members from unfair practices.
Community Support: We create a supportive community that offers emotional connection and care.
Advocacy and Education: We advocate for better end-of-life care and educate the public for informed decision-making.
Respectful Services: We ensure dignified, compassionate services that honour members' wishes.
Simplified Planning: Our pre-planning services reduce stress for families and ensure members' wishes are respected.
Consumer Protection: We ensure transparent pricing and services to protect members from unfair practices.
Community Support: We create a supportive community that offers emotional connection and care.
Advocacy and Education: We advocate for better end-of-life care and educate the public for informed decision-making.
Respectful Services: We ensure dignified, compassionate services that honour members' wishes.
CMS Hires its First Executive Director
We are excited to announce a significant milestone in the growth of the Cooperative Memorial Society—the appointment of our first Executive Director, Terry Geib. Many of you may already know Terry, as she has been a dedicated board member since 2009 and an advocate for cooperative values throughout Alberta. With a wealth of experience in leadership, governance, and community engagement, Terry is well-positioned to guide CMS into its next chapter.
Terry’s background is rooted in cooperative principles. She has served on multiple cooperative boards at the provincial and national levels and brings a unique combination of expertise in strategic planning, business strategy, and community engagement. After a 33-year career as a business strategist with The City of Calgary, she officially retired in 2023. Now, she is ready to channel her energy and vision into CMS, helping us grow and better serve our members.
Terry’s background is rooted in cooperative principles. She has served on multiple cooperative boards at the provincial and national levels and brings a unique combination of expertise in strategic planning, business strategy, and community engagement. After a 33-year career as a business strategist with The City of Calgary, she officially retired in 2023. Now, she is ready to channel her energy and vision into CMS, helping us grow and better serve our members.
What Does This Mean for CMS Members?
The addition of an Executive Director strengthens CMS’s ability to meet member needs and expand our impact. As Executive Director, Terry will:
- Oversee daily operations, coordinating smoothly between staff, members, and service providers.
- Lead strategic planning for growth and sustainability.
- Enhance outreach efforts to raise awareness about CMS and our services.
- Collaborate with the board to improve governance, focusing on member services and new initiatives.
- Provide consistent leadership to help CMS thrive and adapt.
Read our December 2024 Newsletter
