News

Back to all news

New GM for PWL Lac La Biche is an active
long-time local resident

November 22nd, 2018

Points West Living Lac La Biche has a new General Manager, Iona Wolstenholme. Iona was part of the administrative team when the community opened in the spring of 2018. As office administrator, she worked closely with the General Manager, to establish operations then transition to day-to-day management. So, when the GM position came up, she was happy to take it on.

"I love interacting with residents..."

“Memory Care is my favourite place at PWL Lac La Biche,” says Iona. “I love interacting with residents and family members, and truly empathize as I experienced this with my own mother. She was living with advanced Alzheimer’s when she passed away in July 2017. In the six months prior, she went through three seniors communities as her medical needs increased and she physically declined.” 

Personal experience drives care commitment

“In light of my experience with my mother, I want to treat each resident in the same manner as I wanted for my mother. I want them to be respected, loved and cared for,” she says, “I also grew up without grandparents, so now I am truly blessed to be able to lavish my love on our residents – they have filled a great need that was in my heart.”

Iona says PWL Lac La Biche residents tell her they support her becoming new GM, but they will miss her as their front desk point-person.

In the area

Iona has lived most of her life in Alberta’s North East region. Originally from St. Brides, Iona is the youngest of seven children; both parents from Northern Ireland. “I mostly grew up in Edmonton,” she says, “and moved to Lac La Biche when I got married in 1987.” 

Family life

Iona, her husband Chris, a retired commercial helicopter pilot, and their three daughters live on Mission Beach, on the same bay as Lac La Biche Mission, a National Historic Site of Canada. “Meghan, my oldest is a Social Worker with disabled adults,” she says. “Shelby, my middle daughter has Down Syndrome and is the light of our lives, and my youngest, Cassidy is finishing high school this year.” 

Iona has more than 35 years experience in administration and marketing and is a strong advocate for seniors and disabled communities. She is currently a board member with Lac La Biche Disabilities and Special Olympics Lac La Biche. 

Warrior Princess

In her spare time, Iona enjoys reading, boating, and dancing. She is also a master archer (real life, not the video game). “I have been in archery for about 10 years now,” she offers. “I own a Hoyt Avenger Blue Fusion and she’s a beaut! My division is Master Hunter Compound, and I have won several medals for Alberta and Canada including a Silver medal from the 2014 Canadian National Archery Championships.” 

Photo: New GM, Iona Wolstenholme (right) visits with residents Alma Hocko (left) and Germaine Cadieux in this late summer photo in the courtyard of PWL Lac La Biche.

Back to all news

This news service is for and about you. If you have feedback, photos and story ideas you'd like to contribute, please email them to news@pointswestliving.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------