Get To Know Jane Bryce, New General Manager at Magnolia Gardens

By Tom Miller, resident of Magnolia Gardens

As we fondly say ‘have an enjoyable retirement’ to our General Manager Pam Murphy, who has nurtured and cared for our community over the past 23 years, we welcome our new General Manager, Jane Bryce, to lead Magnolia Gardens into the future.

We are fortunate indeed to have Bria select someone so knowledgeable and qualified for this position. Jane’s experience and education in the hospitality and Senior Living industry is quite impressive and extensive. For the past five years, Jane has been General Manager of The Wexford Seniors Community in Tsawwassen, which is also a Bria-owned and operated location.

Now, a little about Jane: she was born and spent her early years in Baie Verte, Newfoundland. The town of Baie Verte is located on the northeast coast of Newfoundland & Labrador on the Baie Verte Peninsula in White Bay. Her father was an executive in a large mining and ore company, and when Jane was 16 years old, he was transferred to Watson Lake in the Yukon Territory. Watson Lake is located at mile 635 on the Alaska highway close to the B.C. border.

One cool fact about Watson Lake is that in January 1947, the temperature was recorded at minus 58.9c (minus 74f). Moving to Watson Lake was a life-changing event in Jane’s journey, as the next few years would bring wonderful experiences and people into her life story.

Only a few can claim the fact that they have performed as a Can-Can Dancer with the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival but Jane was and has performed throughout the Yukon and Northern British Columbia while in her late teens and early twenties.

Jane has attended post secondary school, taking Business Administration at Yukon College and Tourism Management at Yukon College and Capilano University.

Jane’s love of dance and music led her one night to visit a club where a touring band was playing. Jane not only loved the music, but she also fell in love with the band’s drummer, a young man named Daniel. Today, they have been together for 27 years and have two children, Jacob, 23 and Mya, who is 19. Jane and her family live in Walnut Grove with an extended family, including her Mother, Father-in Law and a 15-year-old cat named Shadow, that believes he is a person.

Jane’s move to Magnolia Gardens will definitely shorten her home to work drive by at least one hour a day and will give her extra time to enjoy her favourite pastime, kayaking in the Mission area.

Jane’s story and progress would not be complete without her gratefulness and gratitude for Pam Murphy being in her life. Pam hired Jane 13 years ago as Sales and Marketing Manager at Magnolia Gardens and Sunridge Gardens. Pam has remained a good friend and mentor to Jane over all these years.

I asked Jane what type of statements best describe her attitude towards her work and life. Her reply was ‘two things’

1. Seize the moment.
2. Find the joy.

We welcome Jane back to Magnolia Gardens and look forward to getting to know her better in her new home.

PHOTO: Tom and fellow resident Bun presented Jane with a painting Bun did of the mountains around Watson Lake, Yukon at her first All-Resident Meeting in April.