#donation

Mary Robertson, LJI Journalist

CASCAPEDIA-ST. JULES – On July 24, a generous donation was made to the Maison de soins palliatifs de la Baie-des-Chaleurs, in ​memory of Diane Snow, ​ the Executive Chef of the 3Camps fly-fishing lodges.

The $100,000 donation was made by B​arbara Crook and Dan Greenberg, co-owners of 3Camps, and leaders of the Danbe Foundation in Ottawa. Known as a philanthropic power couple in the Ottawa region, Barbara and Dan have generously supported cancer research, mental health services, the arts, and many other charitable causes through their Danbe Foundation. In 2018, Barbara and Dan were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Governor General Julie Payette for their philanthropic contributions and for inspiring a spirit of giving in Ottawa and beyond. Barbara was also awarded the Order of Ottawa for her community work and philanthropy.

Diane started to work at Camp Bonaventure in 1999 as a cook. In the years that followed, she took on more responsibility by overseeing all the operations of kitchen management and the menus for the Salmon Lodge on the Grand Cascapedia River, Camp Bonaventure and The Club on the Bonaventure River.

She enjoyed her work at the salmon-fishing camps and was an integral part of the hospitable and hard-working team of employees who welcomed anglers to the rivers every summer. Having worked there for so many years, she was also a friend to many of the guests who returned to the camps year after year.

After being diagnosed with cancer, Diane received her first treatment in March of 2022. During that time, she and her life partner, Junior St.Onge, were also faced with the challenges of his mother’s diagnosis of cancer. So, while dealing with her own health issues, Diane took it upon herself to help care for her mother-in-law until she passed in December of 2022.

After months of treatments, Diane was told that she was in remission and was able to return to work at the camps in 2023 with Junior, who was the Manager at Salmon Lodge.

When Diane’s cancer returned, she remained optimistic and was determined to get through it againbecause she had her four young granddaughters to love and spoil. But after more difficult treatments, her family and friends’ loving support, and much care from the doctors and nurses at Maria Hospital, Diane lost her battle to cancer on April 27, right before the start of the 2025 fishing season.

It was a devastating loss, not only for her family but for the owners and staff of 3Camps. The donation by Barbara and Dan to the Maison de soins palliatifs Baie-des-Chaleurs Palliative Care Home was a way to pay tribute to a remarkable woman who had touched so many lives with kindness, resilience and strength.

The Palliative Care Home project, launched in 2019, aimed to build and provide the communities within the MRCs of Bonaventure and Avignon with a peaceful and comforting six-bedroom hospice. Once completed, it will provide palliative and end-of-life care in a respectful environment and will also offer support for their loved ones, free of charge.

Dr. Simon Prévost, a family physician in the Bay of Chaleurs for more than 20 years, started an ambitious fundraising campaign in 2022 by biking across Canada. From the start of his practice in the region, he had devoted much of his time caring for patients in palliative care, both at home and in the hospital. Therefore, he knew that a hospice was needed for these patients. His objective was to cycle from the Yukon to the Bay of Chaleurs so that he could raise $100,000 for the construction of a palliative care building. With the encouragement of the local community, he raised more than $135,000. Today, Dr. Provost is still involved and acts as the President of the Board of Directors for the project. Their goal is to raise 5 million dollars by 2028, and at this time, they have raised more than 4.4 million.

Junior St. Onge shared that Diane would be happy to know that even though she is no longer here, she will be able to continue helping others. He said that she had always bought the fundraising tickets for the Palliative Care Home because she thought it was an important and much-needed cause to support. When it is completed, Junior said that he and her family will think of Diane and find comfort in knowing that her legacy of kindness will continue to live on within its walls.

Those wishing to support the Maison de soins palliatifs Baie-des-Chaleurs can contact their office for more information.