Judy Paton’s journey to date has been a winding one, spanning continents and industries.
From the fast-paced world of accounting in Canada and the US to the tranquil waters of Alaska’s herring and salmon seasons, Judy’s financial and accounting expertise has taken her across the globe. Now, she finds herself, serving as the treasurer for The Village Redcliffe’s Resident Committee.
But first, let’s rewind to Judy’s teenage years. After watching a travel log about Jasper and Banff, she immediately set her sights on Canada. With her father recently passed and her two youngest brothers, aged 13 and 15, still at home, Judy focused on family. But once her brothers were grown and established in their careers, Judy began to consider the overseas adventure she had long dreamed of.
In 1974, at the age of 36, Judy finally set off for Canada with a girlfriend. After 18 months, her travel buddy decided to head to England, but Judy, having fallen in love with Canada, said, “I’m staying.” She soon built a life there, forming a close bond with what she describes as a surrogate family – a connection that began with a work interview. The woman she interviewed with turned out to be so similar to Judy that they became fast friends, sharing everything from matching clothes to family camping and fishing outings.
When the company Judy worked for was bought out, she was transferred to the corporate office in California. Initially hired for an administrative role, Judy quickly recognised the need for a Human Resources department, telling management, “You need someone to take on HR because you’ve got too many employees.” She essentially started the HR department from scratch, creating handbooks, explaining employment rules, and detailing health and savings plans in both English and Spanish (with help from a translator, of course). By the time Judy left, the company had grown to over 1,000 employees. “It was a very enriching part of my life,” she said.
Another unique chapter for Judy, was four years working for a broker in the fishing industry, sailing around on boats during herring and salmon seasons. Eventually, Judy’s mother in Australia fell ill, and the events of 9/11 convinced her it was time to be closer to family. She returned to Australia, building a home in Currumbin Waters in 2002. Over the next 20 years, Judy volunteered with Meals on Wheels, The Red Cross, and served as secretary and treasurer at The Carpenter’s Workshop before eventually relocating.
Fast-forward to 2023, and Judy moved to The Village Redcliffe, where she immediately felt an inexplicable sense of belonging, just as she had felt arriving in Vancouver. “I had a special feeling when I came here that I didn’t have anywhere else,” she says.
This connection inspired her to give back to the community, leading her to take on the role of treasurer. In this volunteer role, Judy manages the Resident Committee’s finances, tracking funds from resident events like happy hours, raffles, and other functions. She oversees how this money is processed, and which initiatives have been funded by the committee, producing financial statements which are available to residents interested in reviewing it.
Judy’s impressive journey is such an inspiration – she is always busy and incredibly organised. She encourages other residents to get involved in the village community, believing in the power of giving. Her life philosophy? “As you give, so you get.”
Judy is a resident at The Village Redcliffe. This article originally featured in edition 4 of The Village Retirement Group’s resident magazine, “Village Living.” Request your copy of the magazine today when you enquire below.
