She was once known as Maureen Schultz - now Maureen Washington - and always known as a jazz diva, in the best possible sense.
She's all about the bling, the glitz and glamour, and she'd never be caught on stage without being completely put together, offering an incredible treat for the eyes, as well as the ears.
Some might be surprised to know that she's more than just a pretty face with an incredible voice.
In 2008 Washington moved with her five children to Victoria to further her career, and after a four-month separation, her husband, Darryl came to visit his family after working in Fort McMurray.
The moment Washington saw her soon-to-be-ex, she took him to the hospital.
He had lost about 60 pounds and looked like he was eight months pregnant, she said.
He had a 25-pound tumor, which was removed immediately. The cancer was gone for a few short months but returned in 2009.
After Schultz was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Washington rallied her family to join the battle. The children have all found ways to connect with their father and deal with the situation in their own ways, said Washington.
Through the challenges of being the main caregiver of the man she planned to spend the rest of her life without, raising her five children, furthering her career - including making a commercial to promote the City of Victoria's downtown - Washington continued to put on a brave face and shine through extraordinary circumstances.
"In all honesty, it's hard," said Washington, her voice faltering.
"What people get to see on the outside, that's what they believe, but they don't realize there is a big pink elephant dragged into every room."
The pink elephant is a gastrointestinal stromal tumour, GIST for short. They call it dead man's cancer. There is no remission. There is no cure.
It's something Schultz still battles today, with two weeks of chemotherapy, two weeks without. If the cancer takes over, Schultz's prognosis will see him live for about three months.
Under the care of world-renowned oncologists, Schultz has been able to stretch his prognosis of a year-and-a-half survival rate to almost five years now.
"It's just a matter of figuring out what sort of chemo will keep the cancer from growing so quickly," said Washington.
In 2010, Washington was releasing two albums, going to school full time to get her degree in music, working part time, and living with five children and a cancer patient. When she realized she had taken on too much, Schultz moved into his own space and Washington dropped half her courses and some of the burden.
During the past couple of years Washington has flourished as a musician, playing 99 gigs in 2012 and still going strong. All her performing did not go unnoticed and she was Monday
Magazine's Jazz and Blues Artist of the Year in 2011 and 2013 and was in the regional top five in CBC's Searchlight.
In 2011, she was nominated as Vancouver Island's Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year and in 2012 she was nominated as Vancouver Island's Music Awards Best Live Act.
Today, Schultz and Washington are best friends and confidantes.
"You would think we were still married," said Washington.
"We do spend a lot of time together. We got married because there was a love there and we stay in friendship because there is a love there and there's that support we give each other. We are in that deeper end of best friends."
Schultz and Washington know there will be a time when Schultz won't be able to care for himself any longer.
"Once Darryl can't care for his basic needs, or for himself, I will be the one to do that for him," said Washington.
"So whatever life adjustments have to be made, I will make them. I will make the space to hold his hand as he passes."
Is there a former Citizen newsmaker that you'd like to know Where Are They Now? Send me a note at [email protected] or call 250-960-2773.
