Tricia & Brent Taylor’s Legacy Story

Tricia’s family is a blend of Norwegian, Scottish, German, French, and Indigenous.  Her mother’s family dates back to the early 1800s to Upper Canada and Quebec while her father’s family came to Canada from Norway at the turn of the 20th century. Tricia was born in Canim Lake, near 100 Mile House. Her father was master carpenter and could build a home or an apartment building from foundation right up to finishing work, as he held tickets in carpentry, plumbing, electrical and cabinetry. Her mother, Linda, worked in administrative roles for most of her life but had wanted to attend school for heavy duty mechanics but as a woman, that field was not open to her at the time. Her family moved to the Coast in the summer of 1986, eventually settling in Langley in 1992.  

Brent’s family history has deep roots in the Fraser Valley and Abbotsford, specifically. His maternal line through his mother Audrey, descends from one of the original three Olund brothers from Sweden, who came to the area at the turn of the 20th century. They were tradesmen and built many of the older buildings in the Matsqui area and in the old part of Abbotsford’s downtown. Olund Road is named after the family. Brent’s father, “Rick” was born on Vancouver Island and moved to a farm in Surrey. When his parents married at a little hall in Mt Lehman, they started in Vancouver before settling in Langley, where both Brent was born. 

Tricia and Brent met when Tricia was 11 and Brent was 13. They were in the same elementary school for a few months and the same high school for 2 years. Their homes were about 3 blocks apart in a straight line. In Tricia’s words, “I met Brent by chance. I had just moved to the area and was shy but Tammy (Brent’s sister) and I became fast friends. While playing at her house, I saw this cute boy walking up the street wearing a baseball cap. I asked Tammy who that was and she said “Oh, that’s my brother, Brent.”

Tricia spent a lot of time at the Taylors’ home and Rick and Audrey became like a second set of parents to her. Tricia and Brent, in essence, grew up together.  When Tricia found herself single at 19 at the same time Brent was, they would hang out on Friday nights, playing pool and Tricia would act as designated driver. It was during this time that they realized their friendship had blossomed into something more. They moved in together within a year and moved into their own basement suite only a handful of blocks away from their parents’ homes.

Tricia and Brent lived in that suite for 9 years, were married, had a daughter Rebecca, in 2007, and a son, Zachary “Zach”, in 2011. Tricia finished her degree at UFV during this time. They then moved to Abbotsford in 2012, when they bought their first home, a townhouse near Mill Lake, where they still reside and where they’ve raised their family.

Their collective service to community started at a young age. Tricia became part of the Scouts Canada Venturer program (ages 14-18), where she won the prestigious Queen’s Venturer award. She went on to become a Scouts leader for many years – tradition that runs in her family as a third generation Scouter. Brent started volunteering in Scouting when he became a Beaver at age 4, and continued to help out his community throughout his 26 years of Scouting. Brent’s love of outdoors was so deep, he skipped his prom so he could hike the West Coast Trail with a friend and fellow Venturer. 

Tricia’s volunteerism has led her to serve with the UFV Alumni Association prior to 2017 and returned in 2022. She currently serves as Vice Chair and will become Chair of the Board in 2027. She also serves on the Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Sumas as Secretary, is Treasurer for Abbys’ Music Society, and on ACF’s Student Awards committee. 

Brent chose to volunteer with Central Fraser Valley Search & Rescue Society (CFVSAR). It took a year and a couple of tries, but Brent made it on the team and has never looked back. He is currently the Rope Team Chair and Training Officer for the team and has avalanche rescue training. Weekly training sessions, being on call when needed, working to upgrade his skills is a passion that his family has supported. 

Over the years, they have faced hardships as a couple – a pregnancy that required bedrest for months, financial struggles, the loss of both their moms. They have weathered these things together and credit the community in Abbotsford for supporting them in so many ways and appreciate what a fantastic home it’s been for their family. Their children have thrived in Godson Elementary, Abby Middle and Abby Senior. Rebecca graduated with honours in 2025 and is now a UFV Alumni as she earned her first year of carpentry in 2026. Zach is thriving as a player with the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club (ARFC) and with Abbotsford Senior’s Junior Boys rugby team. Both youth are back in Scouting as Venturers, now a 4th generation of Scouts for their family. And Tricia is starting a new career as she trains to become a teacher, a lifelong dream. 

When Tricia’s mom passed away in 2022, she chose to create an endowed student award with ACF with some of her inheritance. The award has become a family affair and is now known as the Taylor-Jacobsen Student Award. The family reviews applications and makes their recommendations each year and love the idea of helping young people pursue their post secondary dreams. 

Tricia and Brent demonstrate just how our community has been built with consistent generosity, the desire to give what you can with your time and skills, and love. Their legacy is the legacy of so many donors who believe in uplifting others whenever and wherever they can.