CelebriTree Program (2024)

Magnolias are always beautiful additions to a landscape, and the flowers of Butterflies Magnolia have an especially luscious yellow colour. The mature flowers also have a lemony scent. This variety is a cross between a native and an Asian Magnolia, and can grow to be a small tree with a central leader, or a multi-stemmed shrub. This tree can grow 5 to 10 metres in height. The tree is located about 50 metres NW of an intersection between paths leading from Dow’s Lake to the Arboretum.

Celebrating Terri Epps

Remembering Terri Epps

It is with profound sadness and heartfelt love that we remember and celebrate the life of our dear friend and colleague, Terri Epps.

Terri was an irreplaceable part of our Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) family, especially within the Programs Branch. Her sudden departure has left a space that feels impossibly empty — a void deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege to know and work alongside her. Terri was far more than a coworker; she was a beacon of kindness, warmth, and steady support in every room she entered.

Since joining AAFC in 1996, Terri became a cornerstone of our community. Her generosity with knowledge, her eagerness to help, and her genuine care for others made her an exceptional colleague and friend. Whether in meetings, hallways, or even during casual encounters at the grocery store, Terri’s ever-present smile and cheerful spirit brightened our days and lifted our hearts.

Many have described her as a beautiful soul and a true ray of sunshine. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering positivity made a lasting impact on everyone she met. She was always approachable, always ready with a kind word or helping hand, and her presence brought comfort and encouragement in so many ways.

Terri’s devotion extended well beyond her professional life. She was a loving wife and best friend to Steve for 53 wonderful years, a proud and caring mother to Shane and Brent, a supportive mother in-law to Elisa and Christina, and a joyful grandmother to Nathan, Colin, Emma, Anthony, and Olivia. Her family was the center of her world, including her beloved fur babies, Sammy and M, who miss her dearly.

Outside the office, Terri found peace and happiness in her garden — tending her flowers with the same nurturing care she showed to everyone around her. The image of her surrounded by vibrant blooms and hummingbirds, a place where she found immense joy, is a beautiful reminder of her gentle spirit. What better way to celebrate her life than by planting this tree in her honour and in her memory. A place where everyone can visit her and find solace and peace as Terri did while gardening.

Terri’s life was marked by selflessness and devotion. She gave so much to her work, her family, and her friends, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and love that will continue to inspire us all.

As we grieve her loss, we also carry forward the light she shared. Terri’s spirit remains with
us — in the kindness we show, the support we offer, and the connections we nurture. Though she is no longer with us in body, her warmth and generosity live on in our hearts.

Rest peacefully, dear Terri. You will be forever missed, forever loved, and forever
remembered.

Donated by Jessica Dugas