The Pen Newsletter – Mobile v2 – July 2026

WILF BRODRICK P E N

I am honoured to be elected President of the BC Government Retired Employees’ Association. I am committed to representing our members and working diligently to maintain and enhance your pensions and benefits.

I would like to thank Brian Green for his dedicated service as President. I am pleased to say that Brian has agreed to remain active as Past President for at least the coming year, and hope he will continue his involvement beyond that. His guidance, advice and support over the past year has been invaluable and much appreciated.

I also would like to welcome Merrilee Ashworth as a Table Officer following her election as 1st Vice-President. Merrilee will assume leadership of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, and consequently, the Resolutions Committee. I look forward to working with her and the Committee as they review potential improvements to BCGREA Bylaws, Policies and Procedures. In addition, she will also take primary responsibility for managing relationships with our Affinity Partners.

Following her re-election as 2nd Vice-President, Tammy Welch will continue to focus her efforts on strengthening BCGREA communications. Her efforts will help ensure our communications remain timely, informative, engaging and relevant to members.

Our other Table Officer positions continue to be held by Kathy Torhjelm (Secretary), Johanna Morrow (Treasurer and Pension Board representative), and Al Barclay (Membership). The volunteer Table Officers, together with our dedicated Administrative Staff, Jodine Ducs will continue working on behalf of our membership.

Looking ahead, I anticipate continuing our efforts to ensure the maximum benefit to our members from our pension plan, including possible improvements to the extended health plan and other benefits. While legislative constraints can limit changes in some areas, I remain optimistic that creative options may be found for improved member benefits.

The BCGREA has long partnered with the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (COSCO BC) to advocate for legislative, policy, and procedural improvements affecting seniors throughout the province. I am confident our representatives will continue to be strong voices for BC seniors.

Over the past year, BCGREA has also worked with the BC Retired Teachers’ Association (BCRTA), the Municipal Pension Retirees’ Association (MPRA), and College Pension Plan Retirees (CPPR) to establish the Public Sector Retiree Group (PSRG). The Group’s goal is to collaboratively seek ways to improve benefits for all our members. While each Association’s benefits are unique and funded differently, we believe our combined strength, knowledge and collective influence can help achieve positive outcomes for all public sector retirees.

I look forward to working together and representing our members’ interests as we move forward.

MERRILEE ASHWORTH P E N

With this terrific summer edition of the PEN, it is both an honour and privilege to introduce myself to members as the new 1st Vice President of the BCGREA.

Like many of you, my career in public service and community leadership has been grounded in collaboration, service, and building strong communities. I am sincerely grateful for the confidence placed in me by the membership and Provincial Executive, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of our Association.

In addition to my role as 1st Vice President, I have also taken on the roles of Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and Chair of Affinity Partner Program. As Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, one of our key priorities will be to continue reviewing and updating our bylaws, policies, and procedures to ensure they remain aligned with the Association’s current operational structure and evolving.

I also would like to acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the excellent work of the Affinity Partner Program Committee over the years. Committee members have worked diligently with our affinity partners to develop valuable programs, services, and member discounts that enhance the value of BCGREA membership for retirees across the province.

One of the things that has impressed me most about the BCGREA is the dedication of our volunteers, branch leaders, and Provincial Executive. Their efforts help ensure that the Association remains a strong and respected voice for retired public sector employees throughout British Columbia.

As we enjoy the summer season, I hope members have an opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, travel, outdoor activities, and the many benefits that retirement can bring.

Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received. I look forward to working with members, branch leaders and Provincial Executive in our 2026 / 2027 year ahead.

Keynote Speaker – Connie Jorsvik, a former Registered Nurse and patient advocate, is a published author and engaging speaker. She previously served as the National Advance Care Planning Coordinator for Dying with Dignity Canada. Connie is the author of Advance Care Planning: Prepare for Serious Illness and Navigating the BC Healthcare System. She also founded Patient Pathways Healthcare Navigation, Planning & Education.

At the recent AGM, Connie delivered an insightful overview of her three-part webinar series focused on Navigating the BC Healthcare System. Members were introduced to key topics that would be explored in greater depth throughout the series. Two essential messages stood out: the importance of having a solid PLAN, and the need to follow up continuously—follow up, follow up, and then follow up again. She emphasized that you are your own best advocate.

The presentation was well received and considered highly informative by the membership. Stay tuned for more information about this webinar series later in this edition.

Officer Reports - If you would like to read them, please refer to our website or click the following link: https://bcgrea.ca/bcgrea-agm-2026-reports-and-resolutions/

Elections: The elections were held, all elected by acclamation, & installed by Ken Pendergast. The new officers will serve until the AGM April 2027.

President - Wilf Brodrick

1st Vice- President - Merrilee Ashworth

2nd Vice-President - Tammy Welch

Walter Semeniuk turned 98 this year, and he remains happily busy.

He grew up in Alberta on a grain farm with two brothers and a sister, where daily life was shaped by hard work and shared responsibility. From an early age, Walter did chores, worked the fields, and milked cows. Farm life taught him self-reliance and the importance of showing up.

At sixteen, he joined the army. After his service, he returned home to finish his schooling and work again on the family farm.

In 1970, Walter began working for the British Columbia government in the Ministry of Highways. Over the next twenty-two years, he worked in road maintenance, drove a gravel truck, and operated snowplows during winter storms. One memory from those years still makes him laugh. While using a pit toilet in a gravel pit, he suddenly felt something coming up from beneath the seat and between his legs. Convinced it was a snake, he bolted out with his pants around his ankles. His coworkers made sure he never forgot his squirrel adventure.

Walter retired when his department was privatized, but retirement never meant slowing down. He was always a jack-of-all-trades. If he was not working for pay, he was helping someone else with odd jobs. He kept a garden wherever he lived, providing fresh vegetables through summer and fall. Besides golfing and fishing, he enjoyed Huckleberry picking. If his wife could not join him, he found someone else willing to climb the mountain for the purple berry.

Social by nature, Walter has always enjoyed being around people. He was active in the Lions Club and continues to play cards at the local lodge and seniors club. After hearing about the BCGREA, he joined within weeks and has attended meetings regularly ever since. Recently, during a demonstration of a new mobility scooter, Walter volunteered immediately to try it.

Now living in an independent living facility, he goes downstairs twice a day for coffee and cards. He still holds a valid driver's license and values the independence it gives him. His son and daughter both live in Cranbrook, and he drops by several times a week.

At ninety-eight, Walter remains in motion. His life is marked by work, humour, generosity, and connection, showing how history lives in people who keep showing up everywhere.

No more work, other than enjoyable hobby work around the house and yard. Here’s some of my October harvest now that there is extra time to focus on the garden. – Valeska Campbell

More social time and games with friends, and the opportunity to do things because “I want to” not because “I have to”. – Tammy

Retirement is great! For 15 years we enjoyed travelling in our fifth wheel across many Canadian provinces and spending three months of the year driving south to Palm Springs, Arizona and Texas where we visited family. When I became uncomfortable driving a rig, we purchased a 4x4 Toyota 4Runner and fishing boat.

We lived in Gold River for three years near my wife’s sister, where we learned the best spots to fish for salmon and ling cod. After moving back to the mainland, we flew 10 times to different parts of Mexico with friends staying anywhere from two weeks to a month. We also drove many a time to Laughlin, Nevada stopping in Reno on the way. Casinos were nothing like we have now! – Dennis Rumpel

I benefitted from several BCGEU preretirement counselling programs prior to retiring. The Justice Institute of BC course counselled us on retirement benefits and stresses and coping with the common thought that now I just sit back and cash those pension cheques.

I suggest if it isn't being done anymore, it should be. The other counselling program on selecting the appropriate retirement program, was excellent.

The one thing I would suggest as we lose our life insurance, I think, at age 65, is Manulife through the BCGREA. Great insurance BUT had I started it at 55 it would have been even better. Another thing I was counselled on was getting Green Shield. It has been awesome, thank you. You people saw to it that the spouse was included in the counselling, also very important as the spouse is every bit as involved. Again, WE thank you. – Ken Shendel

I am writing as an out-of-province member. I retired from BC Public Service in 2019 and relocated to Ontario in pursuit of grandkids. I appreciate the work that the BCGREA does to keep folks engaged and connected. Regardless of being out-of-province, I have taken advantage of some of the benefits you provide, in particular the discounts on purchases and travel.

I find, particularly in our current world, that being a loyal and proud public servant speaks volumes to who I am. There is mounting pressure from other areas of the world for public servants to adapt and cave to the pressure of politics under new leadership. In retirement, what I remember most is my oath to the public I served. I believe that loyalty is paramount, however one can only imagine the pressure on public servants trapped between that loyalty to the people they serve and the fact that if they don't shift to the new agenda, no matter how inappropriate the public policy or mandate may be, then they may be unemployed.

As retirees, remember who we are and support where and when you can the people now carrying the torch. - Len Meilleur

For me, the door to full-time employment swung shut in April 1996. I continued summer work, as a FSR construction supervisor, for the following two summer seasons. I have always been keen on hiking and continue that to this day. As the twentieth century came to an end I began a new hobby - writing. My wife and I formed Majeck Publishing in 2000 to self-publish my first book. I have added four more titles to my published works. My chosen topics are in the nonfiction genre, with some poetry appearing in my latest book.

There is a tract of forested land close to my home. I invade that space frequently for the one hour hike it provides and do minor trail improvements on occasion. Earlier this summer, one of my daughters escorted me on a hike to Little Lost Lake at Tete Jaune Cache, BC – Lloyd Jeck

Look to the BC Senior Games for what it means to us seniors. I received a bronze in the women’s 100 metres for 78 years of age – 23 seconds slower than I usually run. I have a great picture that my children took when they and my relatives watched me run in Nanaimo. - Leanor Davidson

Enjoying every day with animals and family. Hiking, horseback riding and travelling. Who knew that retirement could be this fun! I always wondered if I would be bored after retiring from 37 years with the BC Government. I now don’t know how I had time to work. – Kathy Mydske

I immigrated to Canada from South Africa with my young son. It was in the 1980s when South Africa was going through a new phase and I was the only female barrister in the Eastern Cape at the time. I completed a Canadian degree to qualify as a barrister and solicitor and was accepted to the bench at Nanaimo in December 1998. I started my judicial career in Prince George and sent back to Vancouver Island two years later. I retired in December 2023 with some trepidation after many years on the bench.

In Duncan I started my new life which is primarily focused on my horse riding and back country adventures. I joined the Duncan Golf Club and have been part of the ladies group. I also joined the pickle ball club at Cowichan Lake and started riding an e-bike on the Trans Canada Trail just up the road from my home.

I am learning how to socialize again without being nervous about whether I reveal too much about myself when I was on the bench. – Justine Saunders

I worked mostly for the Finance Ministry during my 35 years of service. Retired now for 22 years and I love it. I find the time to swim, read, do puzzles, and send messages to friends.

My swimming: I keep a record as I swim two miles every week (or 3.22 km). I have finally finished swimming (in a pool thus not swimming in the ocean) from Victoria to Port Hardy. It is about 498 km and it took me three years. I am continuing my journey - now at 512 km and on my way to Haida Gwaii. Another 346 km to go!

I enjoy having coffee out with friends and I like playing Sudoku online. Retirement is a time to be yourself and enjoy all that makes you happy. - Ernie Lyle

It was my mother, Jane Eileen Brewis, who inspired my lifelong passion for sports. She was a sprinter representing Vancouver’s John Oliver High School in the 1930s.

My mother trained me as I had blocks and high jumping pit in our yard in the Fraser Valley. I loved to run, high jump, and later in Vancouver I figure skated. All that jumping in the pit made me a better skater. I played all sports at my school in Nanaimo and skated seriously. In junior high school I belonged to the Nanaimo Track Club and ran for Woodlands Junior High School. Last year I ran in Nanaimo, once again but for the BC Seniors Games – just like old times for me as my family flew drove in to be there.

For years I ran in the Vancouver Sun Run, 8K and 10K everywhere in BC. I have assisted with the Peninsula Track Club, the Juan de Fuca Learn to Run Clinic, and coached the track and badminton clubs for a few years at one of the local elementary schools. I enjoyed figure skating until four years ago when my boots and blades finally gave out. I ran the Marigold Elementary School “Learn to Skate” on Wednesday afternoon for the school. What a pleasure that was for me to have my own children there too.

I'm 80 this year and attend exercise classes where I have the most wonderful, positive instructor, Glenda, at Juan de Fuca Recreational Centre. She put together a program to get me in shape for the BC Senior Games while I was in Yukon last year and once again is doing the same for me as well as being a personal trainer for me. I will be running the 100m and 200m in Kamloops in September 2026.

My sons and daughter all played soccer for Gorge Saanich, ran for their schools, ran and played all other sports for their schools and Universities. They are all still involved in sports playing, coaching along with their children in South Korea Vernon, Calgary and Kamloops.

While attending Sue Heuman’s presentation on “Sleep” at the March 16 BCGREA 2100 membership meeting, she mentioned that one possible cause of insomnia is sleeping with pets. That comment made me smile as it brought back a fond memory of our cat, Tux.

Tux was an abandoned tuxedo kitten, about 12 weeks old, who appeared in our yard in June 2014. We began putting out a bowl of kibble each day, hoping he might stay—and as summer turned to autumn, he did. Before long, Tux became part of the family.

My partner, however, was not particularly fond of pets and firmly believed Tux belonged outside. Each time Tux approached the door, he was turned away with a gentle but consistent “no, no.” So Tux spent his nights on the covered sundeck through the summer and fall.

When winter arrived, Tux managed to make his way into the house—but new rules were set. He was not allowed in the bedroom, and absolutely not on the bed.

That rule didn’t last.

One spring day, after a busy morning of yard work, my partner lay down for an afternoon nap. Tux quietly followed him into the bedroom and jumped on the bed. He was promptly removed. Tux jumped back up—again, he was removed. Back and forth it went, a determined little battle of wills.

I watched for a while, then went outside to finish some chores. When I returned about an hour later, I found them both fast asleep, side by side, on the bed. From that day on, the battle was over—and Tux had won.

Whether for an afternoon nap or through the night, Tux could always be found curled up next to my partner. He remained there, his usual spot, until he passed away ten years later.

Even now, when I walk into the bedroom, I can still picture that quiet tug-of-war. And every time I do, it brings a smile to my heart. We miss that sweet, determined, and persistent little tuxedo cat.

Flying internationally is a little more complicated for seniors with health concerns. Here are a few suggestions from frequent flyers.

Before You Leave

Download the airline app on your phone to check in ahead of time and to watch for flight delays, cancellations, or gate changes

Print copies of your flight and accommodation details and put them in your personal item bag

Ask your pharmacist to blister pack medications

Contact the airline to request assistance, if you need it, 48 hours before your flight

Check your destination country’s entry requirements. Many countries have introduced new requirements and paperwork must be completed before you travel

Departure Day

Arrive at the airport early

Check connecting flight details so you have sufficient time between your connecting flights

Ask check-in staff for advice and/or assistance if you haven’t done so in advance

Take advantage of early boarding

Be prepared for delays by keeping medications and snacks with you rather than in your checked luggage

Solo flyers are advised to take their personal information (passport, other ID, credit cards, and cash) when they leave their airplane seats

Be Prepared

Ensure your passport is valid for six months after your travel

Arrange mobile coverage for your arrival (sim card, e-sim, data roaming plan)

Order foreign currency so you have cash for your immediate needs

Purchase power adaptors for foreign countries

Try to learn a few words of the language of your destination countries

Check airline rules for carry-on requirements

Pack light - you can layer clothing to accommodate weather changes

Ensure your power bank is in your carry-on luggage