On Oct. 21, the 2026 City of Abbotsford Civic Recognition Awards were held at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium. This year’s Order of Abbotsford was awarded to Dr. Marion Keys, and the Community Champion Achievement Award was presented to the Abbotsford Hospice and Grief Support Society.
The Order of Abbotsford is the highest honour bestowed by the City, and recognizes individuals whose outstanding achievements, leadership and service have significantly enriched our community and brought distinction to Abbotsford.
Dr. Keys received the City of Abbotsford’s Order of Abbotsford in recognition of her exceptional dedication to community service, her leadership in fostering inclusive civic engagement and her tireless efforts to strengthen Abbotsford through volunteerism, advocacy, and collaboration.
For more about Dr. Keys, view the video below:
The Community Champion Achievement Award is presented to an Abbotsford individual, group or organization that has achieved significant recognition or performed a noteworthy deed that has benefited the community.
The Abbotsford Hospice and Grief Support Society received the City of Abbotsford’s 2026 Community Champion Achievement Award in recognition of four decades of compassionate care and unwavering support for individuals and families facing grief, death and dying.
For more than 40 years, the Abbotsford Hospice and Grief Support Society has been a cornerstone of care and compassion in our community. A significant milestone for the Society came in 2016 with the opening of Holmberg House, a 10-bed hospice residence that offers specialized palliative care in a welcoming and dignified environment. The facility also created dedicated space for children's and adult grief support programs, allowing the Abbotsford Hospice and Grief Support Society to expand its services and deepen its impact within the community.
Through counselling, support groups, education, outreach, advocacy and scholarships, the Society has provided support at no cost to tens of thousands of individuals and families navigating grief, loss and end-of-life care. In the past fiscal year alone, its programs and services impacted more than 40,000 people, continuing its mission of ensuring no one faces these challenges alone.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Through their dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving others, they help make Abbotsford a stronger, more caring community. We are grateful for their ongoing contributions and the lasting impact they have on the lives of those around them.
Abbotsford City Council