LCCMedia Foundation's Seniors Magazine

Page 11

December, 2021

Adventurous Duo Ralph and Susan Keith

R

alph and Susan still have their British accents, but their hearts are definitely Canadian. When they applied to immigrate to Canada and Australia, the decision was in their favor when Canada accepted them and their young son. Another son and daughter would add to their family over the years and now they have grandchildren. There were no relatives back then to rely on when they first moved because their family was still in England and so their neighbors and community helped them raise their children. As children themselves, they have memories of growing up and attending school. Kids had much more freedom then and parents didn’t worry as much because they were busy working. Both Ralph and Susan grew up in an industrial town in England. There were days when the coal fires spewed smog into the air and one could hardly see a hand in front of the face. When the Clean Air Act came into being in the 1950’s, it improved people’s health and lives. The two of them knew each other in school, but it wasn’t until they entered Tech

The best advice they took and offered to others is to live within your means and get out of debt, so you can afford the adventures you wish to embark upon when you retire. school that they started a relationship. They would head to the dance halls in their canvas-like school uniforms and spend their 2 hour lunch breaks dancing; something they both still love to do. As a youngster, Ralph remembers crawling after his older brother and Susan’s first memories are of ostracizing her younger sister until they were in their later teens. Susan loved going as a family with the neighbors to the seaside, which was 86 miles from the town on the bus and train. One time, she was left at the station and the master transported her to the next station to catch up with the rest of the family group. Ralph was more adventurous and enjoyed hiking in Wales and Scotland and the green hills and valleys. The two of them are born in the mid to late 40’s on the same day but 11 months apart, so they get to be the same age for one month a year. Being the planner and adventurer, Ralph took a sabbatical from the poSeniors — Winter 2021

lice force one year and hung up his part-time electrician belt to take Susan and their 3 kids on an adventure in Europe. They bought a Volkswagen camper and had many adventures, including the day they had almost run out of gas and needed money in France. Susan dropped Ralph at the bank, but a policeman insisted she “move along” which she did. She eventually got lost and a kind stranger guided her and eventually located Ralph for her. From the kindness of strangers in Turkey to the pickleball community in Mexico, Ralph and Susan have amassed a wide and diverse group of friends throughout the world. They love to travel and missed it during the pandemic. Keeping busy with walking, gardening, reading and doing their own thing, they look forward to their next trip. Susan retired 20 years ago from a 20 year career as secretary for the school division and Ralph hung up his badge and belt as well. The best advice they took and offered to others is to live within your means and get out of debt, so you can afford the adventures you wish to embark upon when you retire. Bon Voyage!

11


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Articles inside

From East to West—Jan Lloyd

2min
page 37

Mischievous Mainlander—Murray Lloyd

2min
page 38

The Smiling Storyteller— Linda Rakos

2min
pages 39-40

For the Love of Music— Amos Garrett

2min
page 36

Social Sandi— Sandra Lee

3min
pages 34-35

Alto Automan—Gerry Diemert

2min
page 33

Gramma Molly—Molly Boyce

2min
page 32

A Musical Soul—Lorraine Nadeau

2min
page 29

A Driving Force—Ray Sampert

3min
page 31

A Snownbird Senora—Doris Jones

2min
page 30

Teacher Time—Sylvia Moore

2min
page 26

Walk of Faith—Doreen Acton

2min
page 27

Sunny Disposition—Noel Checkley

2min
page 28

Endless Educator—Janice Ottewell

2min
page 25

A Success Story— Mary Ann Reeves

2min
page 24

Forever Young—Gilian Worsnop

2min
page 17

A Life of Thanks—Stuart Ledlie Munro

2min
page 16

World Traveller— Lois Harquail

2min
page 19

A Need to Read—Judy Nielsen

2min
page 18

Sunny Dabbler — Joanne Erickson

2min
page 23

Road to Recovery—Syde Kidwai

2min
page 22

Life-long Learner—Gordon Friedrick

3min
page 15

Wise Words—Norman Quantz

2min
page 14

Man of Many Traits— Jim Thompson

2min
page 9

Everyday Joys — Connie Luchia

2min
page 8

Adventurous Duo—Ralph and Susan Keith

3min
page 11

Heart of Gold—Donna Thompson

3min
page 10

LIfe to the Full—Ellen Nelson

2min
page 12

Positive Vibes—Elna Bitu

2min
page 13

Community Connector—Connie Jewell

2min
page 6

Mountains and Miracles— Harald Froise

2min
page 7
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