Maple Ridge Community Foundation president Kevin Nosworthy was shocked and moved to be honoured by a room filled with some of his favourite people, and the feelings were even stronger when they next called up his wife Debbie for her award. One of the highlights of the foundation’s Citizen of the Year Awards on April 12, was a surprise award for the popular couple. “I’m a 64-year-old man who had never been speechless before,” said Nosworthy, a regular MC at local events. “It totally caught us off guard.”
Despite his diagnosis of stage four cancer, and Debbie having suffered broken vertebrae in her neck, they continue to give their time to the community. Their friends and fellow volunteers wanted to honour that. Rotary past president Adrienne Dale presented each with a Paul Harris award, calling it appreciation for “hard work, loyalty and dedication to this community, both in business and through volunteering. All this, despite his personal heath challenges, which crept up unexpectedly in later years.” She noted Kevin has been active with the Chamber of Commerce, a past member of the Rotary club and now as president of the Community Foundation.
“I am also a director of the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society, and Kevin has avidly supported our organization and even dolled himself up in lederhosen to MC our very successful Oktoberfest event for several years,” noted Dale. Debbie is involved in many of the same causes. Dale referred to her as a “special lady who has done the talking and the walking, but never been formally presented with a well deserved award. It’s a lady with the biggest smile and the most infectious laugh, who has been the right hand support for our first recipient, Kevin.” She noted they operated Avanti Planning together, providing Chamber of Commerce medical insurance to this community until recently.
“She has supported Kevin throughout his role as president of the foundation,” said Dale. “When the foundation members were washing cars and selling hot dogs at the baby Canucks games, she was there.” “Thank you, Debbie, for your contributions to our community and the ideals of Rotary,” said Dale. “She’s my partner in business and in life,” said Kevin. He was diagnosed with a tumour in his esophagus, and initially given six months to live. In June, his prognosis was increased to two years. Debbie suffered heart failure, then fell and broke vertebrae in her neck. She is still recovering. “We’re doing good. We live day by day, and we continue to be best friends,” said Kevin. “We’re both lucky to be here.” He would rather be handing out awards, than receiving them. “I do things because I enjoy them, not for the accolades,” said Nosworthy. “The foundation is a fabulous team, and I enjoy being there. “I’ve just got to keep going.”
Read more at: https://mapleridgenews.com/2025/04/16/maple-ridge-couple-honoured-for-work-with-community-foundation/