Our Staff
Paul Wright – Managing Director
Director License No. 16277
Paul joined the family’s funeral business in 1983. As a graduate of Kamloops Senior Secondary (1972) Paul went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of British Columbia in 1978. Paul completed his Funeral Apprenticeship training at B.C.I.T. in 1986. He is Past President of the Funeral Service Association of British Columbia and the Funeral Service Association of Canada. Also, Paul served as chairperson of the Thompson Rivers University Foundation from 1997 to 2000. He and his wife Robyn love to travel and enjoy skiing and sailing. Together, they have three children; Alison, Nicola and Lewis.
Sandra Irvine – Administration Manager
Director License No. 16266
Sandra was born in Vancouver and moved to Kamloops with her family in 1961 where she graduated from Kamloops Senior Secondary in 1975. She began her career in funeral service in 1977 when she joined her father, George Wright at Schoening Funeral Service. In 1978, Sandra married Bruce Irvine and together they have two children, Brent and Heather. Sandra has done volunteer work for the Kamloops Hospice Society and has served as a team manager for Kamloops Minor Hockey. Sandra has recently completed her term as the first woman President of the Funeral Service Association of British Columbia and continues to serve as a board member. Sandra and Bruce love to spend time with their family and friends and enjoy relaxing at their property on Shuswap Lake
Joanne Burnell – Admin. Assist/Funeral Director
Director License No. 16259
In 1991, Joanne, her husband Derek and their two children, moved to Kamloops. In 1992, Joanne decided to further her education and attended Thompson Rivers University where she received a Diploma in Accounting. During this time, she became employed in the funeral profession and went on to receive her Funeral Director License in 1995. Joanne has been employed at Schoening Funeral Service since 2000 and is an active member of the Kamloops Blazers where she serves as President of the Booster Club. She is an avid golfer and enjoys gardening, camping and reading in her spare time.
Tim Cook – Funeral Director/Embalmer
Director License No. 16261
Tim was born in Ogema, Saskatchewan and moved to Kamloops with his family in 1970. While attending school, he was hired by George Wright at Schoening Funeral Service to perform maintenance duties. After high school, Tim began a fourteen year career with C.N Rail in the Signal and Communication Department. He returned to Schoening’s in 1994 to begin his professional career in Funeral Service. Since his employment at Schoening’s, Tim has had the opportunity to work with and assist families from all cross sections of the community, which has been an extremely gratifying and rewarding experience. He enjoys all outdoor activities and loves to spend time with his daughter, Lexi.
Glen Peter – Funeral Director/Embalmer
Director License No. 16270
Glen was born and raised in Estevan, Saskatchewan where he began his funeral service training by registering in the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Program. In 1974, he took a position as Funeral Director at Schoening Funeral Service and moved his family to Kamloops, B.C. Soon after his arrival, Glen joined the Kamloops Central Lions Club which he enjoyed an active membership with for over twenty- two years. He and his wife Janet have four children and ten grandchildren. Together, the Peters’ enjoy camping and traveling.
Marie-Helene Gauthier – Funeral Director/Embalmer
Director License No. 16974
Marie was born and raised in Chicoutimi, Quebec. Upon high school graduation, she enrolled in mortuary studies at Rosemont College in Montreal, PQ where she received her diploma in 1990. Marie began her career in funeral service at Lepine Cloutier Funeral Home in Quebec City where she worked, learned and had valuable experiences until 1997. An opportunity presented itself to move to British Columbia, where she was able to continue working in funeral service, learn English and it was here that she met her future husband, funeral director Justin Clark. Together, they eventually made the move to Kamloops and started their own funeral business. Since then, they have had three children: Genevive, Liam and Madeline. In January 2012, Marie joined the Schoening Funeral Service family and has since had the privilege and honor to keep serving the families of Kamloops in their time of need. In Marie’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys riding her mountain bike or skiing at Sun Peaks and taking in all that this beautiful city has to offer.
Kim MacKinnon– Certified Preplanning Consultant
Kim is a Certified Pre Need and Family Services Counselor. She joined the Schoening Team in 2011. Prior to that she worked for Service Corporation International in Kelowna in Funeral Service.
Kim is a dedicated Pre Need and Funeral Planning Counselor whose knowledge and expertise in this field allows Schoening Funeral Service to offer the most comprehensive Funeral planning Services available.
Kim has three sons and one granddaughter, great family and friends in the Shuswap.
She is a member of the Kamloops Downtown Rotary and enjoys family time music and photography.
Cindy Riley – Funeral Director, Merritt Chapel
Director License No. 16277
Cindy was born in Merritt and graduated from Merritt Secondary school in 1979. She began her career in funeral service in 1984 when she joined her grandfather, John Bann at the Merritt Funeral Chapel. Cindy continued working for George Wright when he bought the Chapel in 1991 and went on to receive her Funeral Director License. She married Doug Riley in 1983 and together they have three children, Amy, Ryan and Chad. Cindy is very involved in the Merritt community and has done volunteer work for Merritt Minor Hockey, Merritt Minor Ball and the Merritt Gymnastics Club. She loves to travel and enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family.
Roy Chisholm – Funeral Assistant
Roy was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia, after several postings at Air Force bases in the Maritime Provinces, Roy moved with his family to Kamloops in 1961.
Roy graduated from Nor-Kam Senior Secondary in 1973. He obtained his real estate agent licence from the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration at UBC in 1987. Roy has enjoyed a diverse employment history. He is best known within the ski community, having worked for several of Kamloops leading sports stores. Roy has also been employed in residential and commercial construction, participating in the construction of many of Kamloops landmark buildings.
Roy has been the Funeral Assistant / Maintenance person at Schoening since September 2010, and says it has been a privilege to be associated with the professional staff at Schoening Funeral Service Ltd. In his spare time Roy enjoys camping, hiking, biking and traveling with his wife Linda.
Bev Kerssens – Funeral Assistant
Bev was born and raised in Kamloops, graduating from high school in 1980.
Raising her two boys Christoper and Jacob she worked at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bev was very active at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School where her children attended. In 2009, she began employment in the funeral profession and in June 2011 started at the Schoening Cremation Centre and says it has been extremely rewarding. Bev also volunteers her time at the Kamloops Harley Davidson shop.
Bev loves to spend time with her family; they enjoy biking, walking and tubing down the Thompson River. She is an excellent cook and loves to entertain with family and friends.