A long time fixture at the Squamish Food Bank Society will be leaving the community and taking her generosity with her to Kamloops.
Joan Forry, who came to Squamish 11 years ago, is making the move for personal reasons and is leaving behind a legacy of caring and giving back to the community.
"It's terrible for us, but it is absolutely fantastic for her," said Susan Newman a volunteer at the food bank alongside Forry.
Forry has been overseeing the operation almost since she arrived in Squamish.
"I think I'm the only person who has Squamish right on their immigration papers," said Forry, a Scottish immigrant who moved directly to the area after arriving in Canada.
The food bank is not the only local charity that will miss Forry's assistance.
Forry has also been involved with the seasonal charity Christmas Care, which provides gift baskets to dozens of families each year and with the Helping Hands Society, an organization that recently opened a homeless drop-in centre.
Forry has also volunteered for fun events such as Logger Sports, and for serious organizations like the Squamish Emergency Program, which goes into action during hazardous incidents.
Forry celebrated her departure last Wednesday (May 16) with fellow volunteers and a surprise party prior to opening the food bank's doors.
Before Forry leaves with her husband Mike for the interior on June 1, she said she wanted to make sure that the community knew how much she would miss living and volunteering here.
"I just want to take the opportunity to thank everybody in the community for helping me keep the food bank going, for volunteering, for donating time and stuff, and for helping with Christmas Care as well," said Forry.
"I'd also like to thank The Chief for putting up with me all this time and Maureen Gilmour for her helpin her column."
Forry plans to continue her volunteering efforts in Kamloops, something that Newman and the other food bank volunteers were happy to hear.
"They are so lucky to be getting her," said Newman.
