Princess Court Team

Michelle Spencer

CEO & District Administrator

I was born in Winnipeg, MB and returned to my parent’s hometown in 1988. This is when I was officially introduced to District of Kenora Home for the Aged. My mother worked for our Community Support Services program, which provided me with the opportunity to spend many hours volunteering with the seniors from our community and the residents within Pinecrest Home.

After completing my post-secondary education in Human Resources, I returned to Kenora to start my career and a family of my own. I married my best friend and high school boyfriend, Todd in 2003. We have two amazing children Sam, eighteen, who has started her post-secondary education in healthcare and my son Jaxon, fifteen, who looks forward to becoming a police officer.

I started my career with Kenora District Homes in 2005, holding various roles. Throughout the years, I continued to grow and demonstrated fundamental leadership skills, which resulted in accepting the CEO & District Administrator position in July 2023.

I look forward to continuing to enrich the lives of those we serve.

Patrick Berrey

Administrator

I was born and raised in the community of Dryden with a four-year relocation to Thunder Bay in my mid-20s to attend Confederation College and achieve a Diploma in Business Administration. While residing in Thunder Bay my wife Christina and I married in 1988 and upon returning to Dryden we began our family. We have two amazing boys Bryan and Brent, and an amazing grandson Casper.

I began my administrative career as Deputy Clerk-Treasurer for the Township of Barclay and then became the Deputy Treasurer for the City of Dryden after the amalgamation of the two municipalities in 1998. This career spanned a term of 15 years. During this time, I added to my education achieving my Municipal Administration Diploma and designation of an Accredited Municipal Clerk-Treasurer (AMCT).

In 2006, I accepted the position of Administrator for Princess Court Long Term Care Home. At the outset, I again upgraded my education with a diploma in Long Term Care Administration along with the designation of a Long Term Care Administrator. Throughout this career position, I have seen the growth of the home with the opening of a new 32-bed addition along with the growth of the management team.

We continue to pursue the mission of the home “Enriching the Lives of Those We Serve” and we take pride in caring for and supporting the residents who built the foundation of the communities in the Kenora District.

Lisa Oakes

Director of Finance

I have fond memories of my childhood growing up on a small hobby farm in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba with my parents and brother.

With passion for the lake life, my spouse Darcy and I found a way to make Kenora our home and moved here in 2011. We have been together for over 14 years and we absolutely fell in love with the area.

After getting settled in Kenora, I found my way back to the work I love. Inspired by my mother’s lifelong commitment to compassionate care, with 44 years in the healthcare environment, I have integrated those values into my own professional journey. After working 6 years in the regional healthcare system in Manitoba and now over 6 years at the District of Kenora Home for the Aged; I have cultured the lessons of empathy, patience, and dedication, shaping my approach to creating meaningful and supportive environments for our seniors.

My relaxations outside of work are fishing, gardening and winter escapes when I am not spending time with family, friends or our two cats.

Ashley Hoffmeister

Director of Human Resources

I was born and raised in Kenora, and after leaving for a brief period of time for post secondary education, realized that being near my family is what matters most to me.

I’ve had a very diverse career starting out in IT, and transitioning into leadership roles, where I found a passion for system transformation, quality improvement, and strategic human resources.  I’ve worked in various healthcare streams over the past 16 years.

I met my husband Matt in 2004 and got married in 2008.  We welcomed our son Decklan into our family in 2009 and our daughter Annika in 2013.  We are a very active family, spending as much time as we can doing outdoor activities in all seasons.  In my spare time, you can find me lifting weights, or cheering my children on (loudly) at whatever sport they are participating in.

I’m excited to be part of a compassionate team who is dedicated to family and resident care.

Cindy Aaviku

Director of Care

Cindy Aaviku has been at Princess Court in Dryden since June 2000—most recently as Director of Care (since May 2007), earlier as Assistant Director (from November 2005 to May 2007), and as RN (from June 2000 to November 2005). Cindy completed the AdvantAge Ontario Administrator Leadership Course in 2019 to allow her to fill in as Administrator on a relief basis.

Prior to coming to Princess Court, Cindy’s prior experience includes medical, pediatric and chronic care as an RN at Dryden District General Hospital (June 1989 to June 2000), as an RN responsible for rehabilitation and chronic care at LaVerendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances ON, (Now Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc) from May 1984 to June 1989, and as an RN providing geriatric care at Hogarth-Westmount Hospital in Thunder Bay from May 1982 to May 1984. Cindy’s first job after passing her RN exams was as an RN responsible for psycho-geriatric care at Nipissing Manor in Corbeil Ontario from November 1980 to May 1982.

When she is not working, Cindy enjoys spending as much time as she can with her grand children (Ollie and Elsie), her children (Rhiannon, Shane and Autumn) and her husband Mike. She enjoys gardening, cross-stitch and other crafts, and she and Mike enjoy spending lots of time outdoors with their two-year-old Yellow Lab, Gandalf.

Susan Butts

Assistant Director of Care

My husband and I moved to Dryden from Thunder Bay in the early 90’s, thinking we would stay for a couple of years and then return … More than thirty two years later, our love for the outdoors and a slower-paced lifestyle has kept us here. I’ve worked in many different fields of nursing since then but found my best fit in Long Term Care. I enjoy my role of advocating for the residents and supporting our staff in providing the best care possible. My husband John and I are now near-empty-nesters. We have two grown children, Lauren who teaches French Immersion locally and Aidan who is currently away at university. Outside of work you’ll find me cooking, crafting, gardening, and continuing to enjoy my love of the outdoors.

Robin Corner

Program Services Coordinator

Hello, my name is Robin Corner and I am the Program Services Coordinator here at Princess Court since April 2022 ! I have been with PC since the doors opened in 2000 in variety of roles such PSW – RPN with upgrading courses and registration’s along the way. I have a beautiful 21 yr daughter Madi who is also at this time doing her College Placement with us. I have lived in Dryden all my life – well actually a Oxdrift girl at heart. I have thoroughly enjoyed my new role as Program Services Coordinator this past year/half with both challenges and tribulations. My sincerest thank you to our Resident’s – Family’s – Volunteer’s and Service Clubs – Thank you for given me the honor of being a part of your lives. Additional shout out to my Staff who are up for the challenge of new idea’s (even the craziest one’s I come up with at 2am in the morning and bring to work the next day) – and make this Dept complete.

Barb Gauthier

Food Service and Nutrition Manager

I have been employed at Princess Court for over 23 years, since it opened in 2000. I started in Dietary, went to Housekeeping, then to cook and now the Food Service manager. I was part of the setup of the home, starting before it opened.

I was a professional photographer and artist prior to that, photographing weddings, dog shows, schools and portraits. This allowed me to stay home with my three children.

My oldest daughter and my son-in-law are both RNs and have blessed me with two beautiful grandsons. My younger daughter lives in Dryden and my son who was in University for psychology, has switched gears into a four-year carpentry apprenticeship. I feel blessed that my kids and I share many interests together.

We love camping at Blue Lake and crafting. I volunteer with our Junior A hockey team, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs, as well as volunteering in my church. I have two rescue dogs now but I used to show and breed American Cocker Spaniels and Irish Wolfhounds.

Samantha Romas

IPAC Lead

I was born and raised in Dryden, but moved to attend college and start my nursing career in Thunder Bay. It was there that I worked as an RPN at St. Joseph’s Hospital and started my family. After my second son was born I moved back to Dryden to be closer to family. I started working at Princess Court in 2018 and really found my passion for caring for the elderly.

After over 10 years as a staff nurse I started my IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control) role in 2023. I have enjoyed being part of the care team that makes an impact on the health and safety of our residents.

I love spending my free time outdoors with my three boys and two dogs making the most of all NWO has to offer!

Adam Gray

IT Manager

Born and raised in Kenora, only leaving to attend post-secondary at Lakehead University, I have always enjoyed living in Kenora and the small town atmosphere that comes with it. I met my wife Jenn in Thunder Bay at university and we have raised two amazing daughters. I have been working in the technical support service industry for almost 19 years as a Communications Technician with KMTS/Bell and for the last 11 years as an IT Administrator. My spare time includes stepping away from the computer screens to enjoy adventures with my wife and kids camping, hiking, enjoying the lake and turning wrenches on various vehicles and projects.

What brings a smile to my face and motivates me daily, is knowing that when I am doing a good job it makes my colleagues jobs easier and more enjoyable.