The Spiritual Care Department is pleased to announce that we have 4 new chaplains for our 2023 Chaplaincy Training Program: Greg Fischer, Linda LeQue, Freda McKeown, and Linda Millo. They will join our existing 5 chaplains to ensure that all of the residents who have requested emotional and spiritual support (over 110 at this time) will be visited with prompt, compassionate, and skilled care.
Spiritual care is an open resource to all residents and families and a chaplain visit can be requested by contacting Rev. Eileen Burdick at eileenb@josephinecc.com.
Eileen has 7 years of experience in clinical chaplaincy, 12 years as a congregational pastor, and 15 years in international business. She is a Board Certified Chaplain endorsed by the national Association of Professional Chaplains and was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Ernie served as President and as Chairman of the Board for 9 years at Trinity Lutheran College. He also served on the Northwest Washington Synod Council of the ELCA for 8 years. Ernie worked at Boeing and Microsoft as a Database Analyst Administrator. Recently retiring from his role on the Board of Directors at Josephine, he joins Josephine’s Spiritual Care Department as a Chaplain.
Deb is a retired educator with 40 years of teaching in early and primary education. In addition, to teaching at public schools, Deb is a certified Montessori teacher. She earned her Master’s in Educational Curriculum. She has lived on 5 acres on Pioneer Highway for 45 years transforming it to an arboretum. Deb attends St. Aiden’s Episcopal Church and studies spiritual teachers of many backgrounds spending time in contemplative spiritual retreats.
A Minnesota native, raised in Port Orchard, WA Bill went to college at St Cloud and University of Minnesota, served Navy for 6 years, Coast Guard for 16 years and Customs and Border Protection for 8 years. Proud Papa of 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren so far. Bill volunteers at Kiwanis and the Lutheran church in Anacortes, rides his bike and plays a lot of pickleball.
Suzanne is a resident of Stanwood since 1996 and has been a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon since 2001. She and her husband have raised two children with their youngest graduating college in December 2021. Her education includes a BA in International Studies as a China Specialist. She also has a Masters Degree in Teaching. Currently Suzanne enjoys people, animals, singing, gardening, and most importantly knitting.
Jeff has worked for the federal government since 1989 as an Office Technician. He graduated from Trinity Lutheran College in 2016 and has a knowledge of German and the Netherlands. Jeff currently attends Our Savior’s in Everett and is active in the Pacific Opera in Victoria B.C. His volunteer work includes Catholic Community Services, Everett-Ryan White Foundation, Central Lutheran (Everett)’s homeless ministry, and Our Savior’s (Arlington) homeless laundry program.