Jan Vander Heyden
I was raised in the city of Lethbridge and attended school in the public system. I had three brothers and one sister but unfortunately my oldest brother was killed in a car accident when I was 11. My dad was a partner with his brother operating a half section of land with the traditional couple of cows, pigs, chickens and a huge garden. We raised alfalfa for seed so I spent a huge part of weekends and summer holidays pulling weeds out of the fields.
After graduation I got married and had three wonderful children (twins boy/girl and 15 months later another girl). We owned and operated a 2000 head feedlot on a quarter section of land.
I left the farm in 1992 and moved with my children into the town of Picture Butte, where I still reside even though all of my children have grown up and moved away. I then attended the Henderson College of Business and after receiving five graduating certificates I applied for a job at a local large animal veterinary clinic. Six years ago I was required to get a certificate so I could legally sell drugs to the clients when there was no veterinarian in the office. I am now a certified drug dealer! In March of this year I left this position to work from home and am very happy with this decision.
My favourite interests are camping (not in a campground but in the true wilderness), traveling and doing yard work.
I joined the Catholic Church in 1981 and became a CWL member in 1986. I was immediately Organization Chairperson and later on took on the position of Secretary. I joined our church choir in 1986 when the director asked if anyone played flute. I still am a part of the choir.
I was president for the past four years at St. Catherine's parish in Picture Butte and am happy to accept the challenge of Communications chair at the Diocesan level.