#RIPMarySjostrom #BCLocalGov #LocalGov
Just back from the West Fraser Centre in Quesnel where several dozen people gathered to remember the late Mary Sjostrom who had a significant public service record including time served as a Quesnel City Councillor from 1999-2008, first female mayor of Quesnel from 2008-2014 and most recently served as Cariboo Regional District Area “A” Director from October 2018-October 2025
It was ironic that it was held at the West Fraser Center, a recreation facility that Mary pushed hard for Quesnel for many years….
Many people spoke fondly of their time working with Mary to better Quesnel/North Cariboo sub-region. Passionate for the north but yet respectful for the people involved and wanting the best for Quesnel
On a personal level — I first got to know Mary in 2006 when she was in the middle of serving her third term as Quesnel City Councillor and from then on, we got to know each other well even when Mary was defeated as Quesnel Mayor in the 2014 local elections but got to work on a personal level when she was elected as the Cariboo RD Area “A” Director in 2018 until her passing in October 2025….
Mary was always working to encourage young people and women to enter local politics, myself included and I hope that the seeds that Mary planted with the young people and women that find inspiration from Mary will find good ground to sprout good people to enter local government, especially as local elections will be occurring this October….
I will profoundly miss Mary but never forget many of the lessons that she passed along to me so that I can be a better elected official…… namely, never be afraid to be passionate and push hard for your community but continue to collaborate and be respectful with others ….
~Steve
