On February 29, 2012, after providing personal care for individuals in the Fraser Lake area, Gwen Middleton retired with thirty three years experience. She held the number one position for seniority for the community health workers in all of Northern Health and was the longest serving UFCW employee in the health care subsector in the province of BC.
Back in February of 1979 Gwen was hired with Human Resources as a home maker. Nechako Valley then took over this service and finally in 2003 Northern Health took over and she has worked as a community health worker with Omineca Home Support up until her retirement.
Gwen chose a career in home support because she was living in the Fraser Lake area at the time and this type of work allowed her the flexibility to both work and be a mother to her three young children. She was able to set up her own schedule that best suited her family’s needs.
When asked what the most satisfying aspect of her job has been, Gwen felt that being able to make a difference in someone’s life had to be the best thing about her job. As a community health worker Gwen was able to help individuals remain in their own homes for as long as possible by assisting with personal care as well as providing families a break from caring for their loved one. Gwen said she will miss her home support clients and her connection with fellow workers once she has retired.
Retirement won’t be boring for Gwen though. She is looking forward to spending time with her family, working on her sewing projects and berry picking in the summer. Come winter time she is going to “hibernate” and become more efficient on her newest purchase; a computer.
Gwen’s colleagues at Northern Health wish her the very best for her retirement and thank you for the years of service and care she has provided to the communities of Fraser Lake and Fort Fraser in her capacity as a community health worker.