HEU PEOPLE

Retired in June, Francine Routley worked in mental health as a community support worker for Salmon Arm Health Centre.

Francine was active in the union, serving her local in various positions including secretary, vice-chair, senior trustee and shop steward. She was an HEU convention delegate and attended many workshops.

“I enjoyed working with all the people,” says Francine. “At times, things could get stressful, so jokes and funny stories helped me smile and laugh. I will miss my clients and co-workers.”

Francine plans to continue doing casual work, trying new hobbies, and socializing more

After 36 years of service, Veena Kumar retired in July as a warehouse operator at the Langley Fulfillment Centre. Previously, Veena worked in Golden as a food services worker, then spent 25 years as a laundry worker at Royal Columbian Hospital and Tilbury Regional Laundry.

A dedicated union activist, Veena held multiple positions at her local, including vicechair, secretary-treasurer and shop steward. She attended numerous HEU conventions, conferences and regional meetings.

“I loved working alongside so many different groups of people every day,” says Veena.

“It gave me the opportunity to learn and experience new things, and the pleasure of interacting with new employees and helping them out.”

Veena says, “over the years, I developed a very strong bond with all my co-workers as well as the management. Work was my second home, so I will miss seeing their cheerful faces every day.”

Outside of work, Veena is active at her local church and volunteers in her community. She also loves travelling and spending time with her family.

In Memoriam

Longtime HEU activist Sandy McDowell passed away in August. As a 50-year HEU veteran, Sandy spent most of her career working with seniors. Her last position was as an activity worker in the Netcare Day Program for older adults at Chilliwack General Hospital.

A staunch trade union activist, Sandy held many positions on her local executive. She served on numerous committees, and attended many HEU conferences and workshops.

A fellow worker says, “Sandy loved her union and was always willing to help. She attended many picket lines and helped organize the ‘Save Parkholm Lodge’ fight. Being good at conflict resolution, Sandy was heavily relied on to deal with conflict issues.

60,000 members in 296 locals

“She was very good at finding a peaceful middle ground.”

In her personal life, Sandy had a passion for attending agricultural fairs. As a youngster, she showed Guernsey cattle at the PNE. And in recent years, she travelled to competitions where her partner David showed Welsh ponies.

Sandy is remembered as an extrovert who enjoyed music, dancing, singing, and any social event that brought people together, as well as sharing her stories, humour and caring

Tragically, HEU care aide Alex Thompson died this September in a hiking accident.

While studying for his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Alex began picking up casual shifts about a year ago at Cottonwoods Care Centre’s short-stay unit in Kelowna.

He was in his final year of the program at the time of his death.

While not working or going to school, the outdoorsman loved sports, camping, hiking and skiing. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

After a 10-year cancer struggle, Carol Crosland passed away last June in hospice with her husband Reed and one of their beloved dogs by her side.

For 27 years, Carol worked as a food services worker at Kelowna General Hospital, and then as a housekeeper at Cottonwoods Care Centre. She finished her career as a housekeeper at the Kelowna Hospice House.

An avid photographer, she loved dogs, gardening, cooking, beadwork and cars.

Carol is remembered by a colleague as a hard worker with a great sense of humour, who took time to get to know her residents. “She was always the fun one.”

Sadly, 29-year-old Dayton passed away in July. He worked as a housekeeper at Royal Inland Hospital in

Always the first to offer help, Dayton developed strong friendships with staff around the entire hospital. He was fondly referred to as “Where’s-my-cart Wilson” due to his habit of misplacing his housekeeping cart.

Dayton worked at a variety of jobs before finding his calling as a hospital housekeeper –a job he really enjoyed. He also loved sports, music, cars, bikes and cats.

A co-worker recalls, “We will miss our chats. We have many fond memories, and we will always remember the funny stories we shared.”

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