Member Spotlight: Barb's Story
Our second Member Spotlight article features Michigan public school retiree Barbara (friends call her Barb), whose creativity and unique interests fill her retired life with adventure.
As a lifelong art lover, Barb enjoys experimenting with different artistic mediums, recently using fused glass. On her travels with her husband, she collects colorful pieces of glass and rocks to create unique artwork. Barb explained that her creative hobbies allow her to combine her passion with the excitement of learning a new skill.
Barb challenges her mind and body by doing yoga and never shying away from difficult tasks — including walking the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day. Her diverse interests don’t stop there. Barb served as an elected official. She also worked as a magician’s assistant. The busy retiree is an ordained minister as well. Barb challenges her mind and body by doing yoga and never shying away from difficult tasks — including walking the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day.
Her diverse interests don’t stop there. Barb served as an elected official. She also worked as a magician’s assistant. The busy retiree is an ordained minister as well.
A lifetime of teaching and learning
Before retiring, Barb spent 38 years teaching career development, computer and office skills to adults and teens, with a fondness for working with teens.
As a coach for Michigan Odyssey of the Mind™ competitions, Barb led high school students through creative problem-solving activities to develop their skills and expand their thinking.
In retirement, Barb is still enthusiastic about developing students’ skills. Working with Michigan State University, she helped future physicians refine their bedside manner by role playing as someone with various medical conditions.
"I was a professional patient for current medical students," Barb said. "This was a blast!"
Legacy and adventure
Barb recently enrolled in the retirement system’s Medicare Advantage plan after years as a Non-Medicare member. She’s a legacy member, because Barb and her mother are Michigan public school retirees and Blue Cross members. The two use their online member accounts to easily stay on top of their health care needs.
"The website is so easy to use," Barb said. "I can track my claims and expenditures. I've even shown my mom how to navigate the website."
She loves to encourage her mother and other retirees to embrace new passions, stay engaged in their community and give back. Barb shared this motto, "Life is an adventure, always has been and always will be."
She has her own excitement coming up this fall — officiating a wedding in October, finishing a few fused glass masterpieces and looking for her next adventure.