George McKiel

Always vitally interested in promoting health and exercise, Dr. George McKiel founded Elderfit of Lunenburg County in 1998, with the endorsement of Veterans Affairs Canada and the Lunenburg County Community Health Board. This ongoing program is respected and advocated by most healthcare professionals in the community, thanks to his ambassadorship and promotion.

Since 1998 Dr. McKiel worked tirelessly, despite some significant obstacles, such as lack of funding, to spread the “gospel” of the health benefits of aquacize for seniors.

In December of 2010, Dr. McKiel stepped down as founder, mentor, participant and first Chairman of the Board of Elderfit. The incoming board presented him with a well deserved Certificate of Appreciation, “For extraordinary service to the Senior Community of Lunenburg County”

Dr. McKiel passed away in 2013. He was survived by his wife, Jean, also a former active member, instructor and promoter of Elderfit for many years.

Martha Saunders

Martha Saunders joined Elderfit in 2000 after moving to West LaHave. With a degree in Physical Education and experience teaching aquafit, Martha soon became involved with Elderfit as an instructor.

Martha dedicated herself for 18 years to managing and leading Elderfit to be the successful program that we all enjoy today. She did everything from coordinating and overseeing the programs at the pools, training the volunteer Instructors, paying the bills, welcoming new members, negotiating with various facilities for use of their pools, and much more!

Besides her obvious management skills, Martha's spirit and sense of humour made Elderfit classes places not only for safe, healthy exercise but also where we can laugh, sing, and enjoy great company!

Sadly, Martha passed away in 2018 after helping to plan for the Elderfit 20th Anniversary Celebration. Her spirit will live on in every class at every pool!

Lindy Guild

Lindy is an original Charter Member of Elderfit, joining in 1998. She was a longtime Instructor, Board Member, and enthusiastic Social Convenor. Lindy has done it all for Elderfit - a program near and dear to her heart!

Lindy was respected on the Board of Directors for her common sense approach to making decisions and for always supporting our Manager, Martha Saunders.

She's also one of the nicest people you will ever meet! Members were saddened when she left NS in 2017 to live closer to family in the UK, but everyone wished her well! Thanks for everything, Lindy, we won't forget you!

Vernon Oickle

In December, 2014 Elderfit said goodbye to a much loved and longtime member, Instructor and Board Member. Members were saddened to learn that Vernon Oickle had passed. Vernon loved being in the pool with us - his playful nature allowed him to enjoy dressing up on special holidays in his Frenchy's finds, enjoying a good joke and leading aquacize classes. We were blessed to have known him - he will not be forgotten.

Vernon joined Elderfit in 2002 and became an Instructor in 2003. He went on to instruct regularly at Best Western, Days Inn and Oak Island. Everyone loved Vernon's classes; as an Instructor, he was quiet spoken and gave clear directions, so everyone had to pay attention! Не would greet new members with a smile and comment, "If you keep coming to Elderfit, you too could have a body that looks like this (indicating his own physique)!

Vernon was well known for volunteering with many local community groups, churches, seniors' homes, etc - he was so busy that he carried a lot of "supplies" in his van - we often teased him that he could live in there! A retired High School teacher (after 30 years), Vernon's hobbies included Ballroom and Tap Dancing, singing in choirs, acting, horticultural judging and being President of several local garden clubs. Vernon was a man of many talents and interests - thank goodness that Elderfit was definitely one of these!

Susan McDormand

On Thanksgiving Sunday, 2019, Elderfit lost one of our longtime members after a lengthy battle with cancer. Susan was a valued and popular instructor, Board member and dear friend to many of us - especially those in classes at LCLC. She was at the pool almost every day either instructing or helping new members; she said her day wasn’t complete unless she got to spend that hour with her Elderfit friends. She closed each class she thought with “Thank you for being a part of my day!” Susan joined Elderfit in 2012 when an evening class was held at Days Inn and became an instructor in 2013.

Susan showed great bravery and determination to live life on her own terms - attending her last Elderfit class a week before her passing! Every day her struggles became harder to watch - she told us it took her 2 hours every morning just to get ready to come to the pool. However, the big smile on her face as she finally got into the water will be treasured by all who were there.

On October 18, 2019, many Elderfit members attended the Celebration of Susan’s life. Fifteen members had rehearsed a special song for Susan called “Light a Candle”(chosen by her sister, Lynne). The “Elder Flames” Choir had time for one practice but did a marvelous job under the direction of instructor Maggi.

Susan will be greatly missed for many reasons but we believe that she, Martha and other Elderfit members we’ve lost over the years are still doing noodle routines somewhere. Susan, thank you for being a part of our lives. Your memory will remain in our hearts!