- D
My beloved husband Bernie Vicente passed away in February of this year. We have been married for over 30 years and raised 5 children and 4 grand children. He lived a good life for as long as he could till the age of 82 years. Before I became the Postmaster of the Bradley Post Office in 2013, my husband retired in 2011 after 37 years of service as an engineer for Monterey County. Five years into his retirement he suffered a stroke, paralyzing his left leg where he was unable to stand or walk for the rest of his life. Two years later, he suffered heart failure and required a pacemaker. As his caring wife, I supported his recovery and rehabilitation every step of the way. For all these years I have taken no time off, no vacation, not a single sick day—just so I can take care of my husband who needed me thanks to the job security as a Postmaster.
Ever since his retirement, my husband’s pension benefits were the primary source of income that paid the mortgage while mine was simply to put food on the table. We both carry separate life insurance policies. However, for all these years caring for my husband, it was shocking and painful to learn both companies dropped coverage for my husband after he suffered his stroke—this was discovered the moment we attempted to file a claim. I was in disgust and sorrow when something my family needed abandoned us.
Praise be to the US Postal Service. The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) was opted for family coverage and my husband’s claim is being processed. This may take up to two months for the claim to be fully processed. In parallel, my husband’s pension had to be halted once we reported his death. The survivor benefits application has yet to arrive and that too will take another two months to process.
This gofundme is merely a bridge during this financial hardship to cover my mortgage until the pension benefits resume and provides much needed stability in this time of uncertainty (especially as uncertain as a pandemic). Thank you all to my fellow postal employees who’ve reached out with your beautiful letters.
Ever since his retirement, my husband’s pension benefits were the primary source of income that paid the mortgage while mine was simply to put food on the table. We both carry separate life insurance policies. However, for all these years caring for my husband, it was shocking and painful to learn both companies dropped coverage for my husband after he suffered his stroke—this was discovered the moment we attempted to file a claim. I was in disgust and sorrow when something my family needed abandoned us.
Praise be to the US Postal Service. The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) was opted for family coverage and my husband’s claim is being processed. This may take up to two months for the claim to be fully processed. In parallel, my husband’s pension had to be halted once we reported his death. The survivor benefits application has yet to arrive and that too will take another two months to process.
This gofundme is merely a bridge during this financial hardship to cover my mortgage until the pension benefits resume and provides much needed stability in this time of uncertainty (especially as uncertain as a pandemic). Thank you all to my fellow postal employees who’ve reached out with your beautiful letters.