Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Dec 05/01) - It's what you leave behind that counts.

The perfect legacy for Myrna Michon's time at the Pulaarvik Kaablu Friendship Centre would be for the centre to maintain its present level of service and build from there.

Myrna Michon will be leaving later this month after seven years in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Michon has spent the past 43 months as the centre's executive director.

At the age of 60 and looking forward to retirement, Michon says the time is right to leave the North.

"I started working when I was 14," says Michon.

"I've worked my entire life and can honestly say I'm ready for retirement."

Michon and her husband, Dick, are retiring to their home on Shuswap Lake in Chase, B.C.

Shuswap is part of the lake system at the mouth of the Thompson River known as the houseboating capital of Canada.

"I plan to spend some of my retirement learning how to become a professional on the stock market.

"I also plan on making a lot of quilts.

"We're going to be living on a lake in the middle of a ski area, so we'll be doing a lot of skiing and lake activities."

Michon says she's loved every minute in Rankin.

She says more people would consider a form of semi-retirement in Rankin if the cost of living wasn't so high.

"The cost of living drives more people away from here than many realize.

"I'll probably come back for awhile during the first part of the new year to help Greg (Sim) get through the end of the year financial statements and audit."

With the centre's programs all serving different parts of the community, Michon has a hard time picking a favourite.

She does, however, admit to having a personal feeling for the work centre.

"The work they do through our work centre is wonderful.

"Finding people is always so important, especially in the North.

"That's just one of the many challenges here I know I'm going to miss."