Gary and Bernice Packard: Honoring Deep Roots by Supporting Benevolent Care

“You don’t realize what a joy it is that Benevolent Care is available,” said Bernice Packard. “It’s not something you think about when you’re younger. It is a joy to not have that burden and to know you won’t have to move somewhere else.”

For Gary and Bernice Packard, residents at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), their love for the community has deep roots. “We grew up in Chelsea and have a long, happy connection here,” says Bernice. Gary and Bernice were both members of Chelsea United Methodist Church. They remember the annual Harvest Offering, when local farmers would bring produce to the residents at CRC. “The youth groups would decorate the tractor trailers, and our group won first place,” said Gary. Their choir also came to sing at CRC.

Both Gary and Bernice had a grandmother who lived at CRC, as did one of Gary’s uncles. When it came time to think about their own retirement, it was an easy choice. “Gary wanted to retire by the time he was 80, and we knew we wanted to remain in Chelsea,” said Bernice, who taught for thirty years in Chelsea. Gary worked at Chrysler Proving Grounds as a test driver. They moved to CRC in 2015.

“We love living here and have been happy with everything,” said Bernice. Both are active volunteers and enjoy the exercise classes. Gary serves on the CRC Spiritual Life committee.

Their connection to CRC also includes planning ahead to care for older adults in the future.

“We have three children, and we have made provisions for each child to have 30% of our estate when we pass,” explained Gary. “For the last 10%, we have decided to give that remainder to the Foundation. We know the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation takes care of residents in need with the Benevolent Care Fund, and that means a lot to us.”

Learn more about the communities of Brio Living Services, including Chelsea Retirement Community, and the many ways that the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation supports Brio’s older adults and team members.