How Elizabeth Ministry Began in BC

Donna, together with fellow bereaved mom Ann, recognized a need for compassionate support for families experiencing infant loss within their local Catholic community. In response, they founded the first Elizabeth Ministry (EM) chapters in the Archdiocese of Vancouver over 15 years ago. Since then, Elizabeth Ministry BC has reached and supported many families, both locally and internationally.

Local Chapters & Elizabeth Ministers​​

Elizabeth Ministry Team Members:
Stephen Amsing
 Tanya Inglis
Cheryl Kranabetter 
Norma Nunez
Ingrid Rodriguez
Larissa Rossen
Valerie Sanson
​A.J. Sanson
Brooks Wicklund
Based on the experiences of our network and parent volunteers, Elizabeth Ministers in BC provide prayers and support in the following situations:
  • During pregnancy after a challenging and/or fatal diagnosis
  • Miscarriage and stillbirth
  • The passing of a baby during birth, in infancy and toddlerhood
  • For those facing fertility challenges and would like resources like natural family planning
  • Regretted abortions
  • Loss of a sibling during infancy
  • Adoption​

Meet our Coordinators

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Donna L. Crombie
Elizabeth Minister, St. Nicholas Langley
Career & Life Coach | Consultant | Writer | Speaker

Donna is a proud mom of five - two children in her arms and three in heaven. She became an Elizabeth Minister after her first child Keaton, was born still in 2009 due to an umbilical cord accident. Keaton was joined in heaven by two additional siblings, Gabriella and Dominique in 2014, both were miscarried.

Donna enjoys facilitating workshops and retreats and has been invited as a guest speaker at various events. She supports Catholic women as a Career & Life Coach through Inspired With Grace. Donna encourages women to live meaningful lives by exploring their purpose and daring to dream again, especially after adversity.
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​Grief is a tangible sign of the love we have for our little saints in heaven. A certain amount of grief and pain will always remain after losing a child; however, Donna believes in the hope of heaven and the peace and beauty of everlasting life. No matter how long or brief, every life is a gift to be loved, honoured and cherished.
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Ann Mamon Amsing
Elizabeth Minister, St. Matthew’s Surrey
Financial Advisor | Teacher | Youth Athletics Coach
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Ann is a wife and mother of three little ones at home and one in heaven. She opened an Elizabeth Ministry chapter with her husband after the loss of their first son Nathaniel who was delivered as a
stillborn on Canada Day 2010.

Ann is a licensed financial agent, and an elementary school teacher and team sports coach. She
enjoys building community, serving others and helping people sense their self-worth. Although we no longer hold our missed babies in our arms, we hold them in our hearts forever. Ann believes in living our lives to the fullest so that all our children both on earth and in heaven are proud of us.
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Winetta Nguyen
Elizabeth Minister, Our Lady of Sorrows Vancouver
Communications Manager | Writer

Winetta is a wife and mother to three littles ones - a baby boy in heaven and two girls on earth. She started an Elizabeth Ministry Chapter at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in September 2021 in honour of her son Daxin Joseph Nguyen who passed away in 2017. Daxin was born premature at 26 weeks and lived for 7 days. His short and brief life has greatly impacted the way Winetta and her husband John live life today. 

Winetta is a Communications Manager for the Denominational Health Association and a stay at home mom. Writing and storytelling is her passion. She has found writing to be very healing and has blogged about her grief journey. You can follow her grief journey on Instagram @foreverdjn or www.foreverdjn.wordpress.com