Staff

Barbara Johnson, Founder (retired)

The founder of Candlelighters Simcoe, Barbara Johnson worked as the Parent Liaison from the organization’s founding in February of 1990 through to her retirement in September of 2018. A Pediatric Occupational Therapist by profession, Barb is also a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, and an enthusiastic masters swimmer who hopes to enjoy many more cruises with her husband Al in their retirement.

Cheryl Gotthelf, Parent Liaison

Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Cheryl is a cancer/palliative care nurse who works at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. She has a large blended family which includes a total of seven kids aged ten and up, as well as two dogs. Cheryl became involved with Candlelighters Simcoe in 2005, when her daughter Kristen was diagnosed with cancer at 19-months-old. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys playing baseball and golf.

Robyn MacMillan, Resource Development

Sarah Parsons, Administrative Support

Sarah is a wife and mother of two children, Liam and Kate. She became involved with Candlelighters Simcoe when her son Liam was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of six. Liam relapsed again at age 12; in 2016 he received a stem cell transplant and is now doing well. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her children, her husband Glen, and their dog Flynn. She loves to be outdoors, and enjoys walking, biking, skiing, and cottaging.