As she sat behind her tidy desk July 27 at MSEA-SEIU headquarters, Effie Purdy pointed to a neat stack of a few manila folders an arm's reach away. They represent her remaining unfinished business in her 46 years of working for our union, most of it running our union's popular Income Protection plan.

Mrs. Purdy, as members of our union know her, wants that stack of folders off her desk before she retires on July 29. So if you're one of the few people who haven't returned a phone message from Mrs. Purdy about your Income Protection claim, this is your reminder that she wants you to call her back right away.

Mrs. Purdy never kids about these things, but this time she's more serious than ever. The reason is that she can't stand the prospect of leaving even a single piece of unfinished business behind.

"These are all that are left over. I've called these people and told them we need further information," said Mrs. Purdy as she pointed to the stack of manila folders. "I want to have it all tidied up. I'll be calling them again later today. I'll call them tomorrow, too, if that's what it takes. But I really am retiring on July 29, so they'll need to ask for (fellow staffer) Andy (Wing) if they wait much longer."

Our union will hold a retirement party for Mrs. Purdy from 11 AM to 1 PM on Thursday, July 29, at MSEA-SEIU headquarters. MSEA-SEIU members are invited to stop by and thank her for her years of service to our union.

Mrs. Purdy, age 91, started working for our union on November 2, 1964 - before many MSEA-SEIU members and staffers were born.

She oversaw the creation and implementation of our union's Income Protection plan since its inception in 1968. Income Protection provides short-term disability insurance to our members. Mrs. Purdy has been an invaluable resource to our members who participate in it. "I was the one who put it into practice," Mrs. Purdy said. "I joined it when it first came out. I wasn't going to get left out."

Now, as she ponders her retirement, Mrs. Purdy said she's going to take a month off before considering what to do next.

How about going on a cruise? "People have suggested that, but I do not like the water," she said.

"For at least a month, I'm going to rest. I'm not going to get up at 4 o'clock or 5 o'clock in the morning," she said. "I've had several people suggest that I volunteer because they think I'm good with people, and that there are people out there who would enjoy that. I've got to have something to do. I can't sit around."

A few things on her to-do list are to spend more time with her family, including her three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, including trips to the family camp.

So what's her suggestion to others who want to live fulfilling lives?

"The only suggestion I have is to do your work, and do it on a daily basis as much as you can," she said. "Particularly in a job like this, things have to be done."

Thank you, Mrs. Purdy, for a job well done!