Golden Voices of our Seba Seniors – Stories from our members
Cathie Duchesne: Building Connection, Community, and a Stronger Seba Seniors
When Cathie Duchesne talks about Seba Seniors, she doesn’t describe a club or a building — she describes a community. Her story reflects how Seba Seniors has grown, matured, and expanded its role in Seba Beach over the past twenty years. And like many of your long‑time members, Cathie’s journey shows how one person’s involvement can help shape an entire organization.
A Lifelong Connection to Seba Beach
Although Cathie and her husband Larry retired to Seba Beach twenty years ago, her roots in the area go back much further. As a child, she spent summers sailing and spending time with family at the Edmonton Yacht Club. When she and Larry made Seba their permanent home, Cathie knew she wanted to build meaningful connections. That desire to create community would later become the foundation of her leadership philosophy.
Finding Her Place Through Quilting
Cathie’s first step into Seba Seniors came through a small quilting group that met monthly at the old pavilion. The group needed better lighting, more space, and a more affordable place to gather — so they moved to the Seba Seniors Centre. What started as a simple rental arrangement quickly became something more. Seba Seniors welcomed the group fully, embracing it as part of the organization.
Back then, the quilting group had about ten members. Today, it has grown to nearly twenty active quilters, hosting weekly gatherings and biannual retreats that fill up fast. The group is self‑directed, self‑sustaining, and a perfect example of how Seba Seniors supports member‑driven programming. Cathie still calls it one of her most meaningful connections.
Growing Social Programming
Not long after joining, Cathie was asked to help coordinate social events. At the time, Seba Seniors offered only a handful of activities — mostly jamborees and a few small gatherings. Cathie saw an opportunity to build something stronger.
She expanded the social committee, created a more structured team, and established four major annual dinner events. She also introduced “Sundowners,” a name inspired by her sailing background. Sundowners quickly became a favourite — a relaxed way for people to gather, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. These additions marked a turning point in Seba Seniors’ social programming, bringing more variety, more structure, and more opportunities for connection.
Formalizing Programs and Strengthening Leadership
As programming grew, Cathie recognized that Seba Seniors needed a more formal structure. She proposed creating a dedicated Program role on the board — and then stepped into that role herself. This shift helped Seba Seniors move from informal volunteer efforts to clearly defined responsibilities and strategic planning.
Eventually, Cathie became President, serving on the board for about ten years in various capacities. Her leadership was guided by a clear belief:
- Seba Seniors should not be an isolated, age‑specific group. It should be an active, integrated part of the wider Seba Beach community.
- She worked to broaden programming, encourage intergenerational inclusion, and position seniors as leaders in community health and engagement. While full integration remains a work in progress, Cathie sees meaningful steps forward — and she’s proud of the direction Seba Seniors is heading.
Health, Wellness, and Active Aging
One area Cathie is especially proud of is the growth in health and wellness programming. Exercise classes have expanded significantly, and she has seen firsthand how they improve members’ mobility, confidence, and overall health. As she approaches her 75th birthday, Cathie credits these programs with helping her stay active, strong, and connected.
Reconciliation and Community Education
One of Cathie’s most impactful contributions was co‑leading a two‑year educational initiative on Indigenous history and reconciliation. After completing an Indigenous Studies course, she partnered with fellow member Carolyn Wagner to secure grant funding, host speakers, and create space for learning and dialogue.
The program explored residential schools, reconciliation, and relationships with neighbouring Indigenous communities. While buy‑in was sometimes limited, Cathie believes the initiative planted important seeds — helping shift perspectives and laying groundwork for future relationship‑building.
A Community Built on Shared Effort
Through Cathie’s story, several themes in Seba Seniors’ evolution stand out:
- Growth from informal gatherings to structured committees and defined board roles
- Expansion of social programming and signature events
- Member‑led groups, like quilting, becoming thriving communities
- Increased focus on wellness and active aging
- Movement toward reconciliation and broader community leadership
- A continued emphasis on volunteerism and collective contribution
Cathie consistently redirects praise away from herself and toward the community. She believes Seba Seniors is strongest when people work together — when members bring their ideas, energy, and willingness to contribute.
In her words, “Seba Seniors is like a recipe. Many ingredients come together, each one essential. Some add richness, some add structure, some add warmth. But it’s the combination — the shared effort — that makes Seba Seniors what it is today.”
