Born in 1956, Jenny is the younger of two daughters born to John and Mary Elizabeth Norison. Raised in West Vancouver, Jenny and sister Martha-Jane Elizabeth (Deed) were instilled with love of the natural environment from an early age. The family took annual sojourns to Chekamus River in the Squamish Valley each fall to watch spawning salmon and eagles, always accompanied by thermoses of hot soups and nippy cheese.

Jenny was a member of the first graduating class from Chartwell Elementary School – an experimental open learning school in West Van and went on to graduate from Sentinel Secondary School in 1974. Jenny filled her days with building forts, swimming in Brothers Creek, helping her big sister Deed with the vegetable garden in the “rock” in the back 40 and hiking with her dog Knute at the end of her street up Hollyburn Mountain to Lost and West Lakes.

Not quite sure of her future plans, the summer of 1974 saw Jenny as a camp Councilor at the YWCA camp on Salt Spring Island, a place which she attended as a camper. Loving to be around children, this was a rewarding time for her. After a few jobs in downtown Vancouver, Jenny commenced work at the Law Society of British Columbia and was involved in developing the first computerized register for BC lawyers. Jenny furthered her education with courses through the Greater Vancouver Legal Secretaries Association, including a term on the Executive as Treasurer.

The sudden death of her father in 1977 was a shock for Jenny and her family. Some would say that her mother, Mary, never did recover completely from the death of her beloved Norrie. The bond between Jenny and her mother grew as Mary replaced her love for Norrie to her daughter and soon grandchildren.

Jenny married Rory Owen Ljunggren (a friend from high school) in 1981and continued to work until the birth of their first child Norison in 1984; daughter Sarah Jane was born in 1985.

Jenny loved being a stay at home mum with her young two children, spending hours playing in the great outdoors with them.

1989 saw the birth of second son, Julian. It was at this time that Jenny and Rory made the decision to leave the North Shore and move to Maple Ridge, after much travelling throughout the various municipalities in the lower mainland. Both Rory and Jenny saw the beauty of the Maple Ridge community, with its mountains, rivers and parklands coupled with the country atmosphere which they both loved. Jenny became involved with the parents and students of Yennadon Elementary School Community, volunteering with the school and her kid’s sports teams.

Their Maple Ridge neighbourhood on Coho Creek was alive with kids and parents who formed a large extended family. This family of friends remains today with many of the original neighbours still residing in the neighbourhood. There were always at least two children the same age and the two dead end streets were alive with at least two children walking, playing or planning their next adventure.

In 1990, four months after their move to Maple Ridge, Jenny’s mother died suddenly. Mary had made the decision to move to Maple Ridge to be closer to Jenny and her children, whom she had visited with daily prior to their Maple Ridge move. Unfortunately this was not meant to be and for Jenny was a very difficult period in her life.

In September 1992, Jenny and Rory completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Chelsea. Two boys, two girls.

In 1995, Jenny realized that it was time to re-enter the work force and it was during this time that Jenny became involved with the not for profits of the Maple Ridge Community which included the Downtown Parking Society, the Downtown Properties Association, the Maple Ridge Home Show Society, Maple Ridge Adopt A Block Society and Jenny’s passion society, the Alouette River Management Society.

KEEPS was formed to help maintain the Kanaka as ARMS was undertaking with the Alouette watershed. After the closing of the Resources Society, Jenny continued her not-for profit work from an office located in her home.

The tragic death of husband Rory 2000 will remain forever with Jenny and her children and they have travelled a difficult road since that time. Jenny and her children have survived their loss through their love and support for each other, without which she is doubtful she could have kept going. Starting over was not an easy task for Jenny. However the love of her family and children, coupled with her family of friends from ARMS and the community, has kept a watchful eye over Jenny. Jenny’s love of life and passion for living has been a very positive influence on all of her children.

After years of fundraising to build the Rivers Heritage Centre, 1999 saw its opening on Rivers Day. Shortly afterward, Jenny and Ross Davies became employees of ARMS. These times were good for ARMS with both federal and provincial monies in place to add to the momentum of environment protection. The ARMS family continued to expand with BC Corrections and ARMS, a partnership which flourishes today.

In 2002 and 2003 ARMS and other environmental not for profit organizations suffered the loss of both federal and provincial funding due to government cutbacks. As a means for ARMS to continue providing their service to the community, a tough decision was made by Jenny to revert her position back to that of a contract. The money was simply not available to continue with an employee/employer relationship. Losing all employee benefits was a sacrifice that Jenny gave willingly, to ensure that ARMS possessed funding to operate the increasing costs of the Rivers Heritage Centre and hire technicians to deliver environmental education programs.

In 2007 Jenny saw the ultimate goal, Sockeye salmon returned to the Alouette watershed after an 80 year absence.

Jenny continued to volunteer for her community and became actively involved with the Board of the Festivals Society which she continued until 2007. The formation of the Campaign for Pesticide Reduction and the revitalization of Earth Day Celebrations in Maple Ridge were both projects of pleasure allowing Jenny to educate her community to becoming more environmentally aware while at the same time expanding her growing community family. Through her involvement with the Festival Society and the Maple Ridge Adopt A Block Society, Jenny’s face can usually be spotted at the many community festivals and celebrations organized by the numerous dedicated volunteers from the community.

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association, Ghostridge, and the Christmas Hamper Society were soon added to her volunteer.

On December 3rd, Jenny’s entire life shifted course when she was diagnosed with cancer of the lung and brain. This traumatic event has shocked everyone who has come to know Jenny over her many years of involvement with the community, as well as her family. However, the loving support that Jenny has received from all of those around her has enabled her to face her latest challenge head on, and with continued support she has no doubt that this is yet another obstacle that she will overcome.