Vicky Foreman, 85, has resided in Federal Way since 1969, and her service to Federal Way involves helping seniors find support for grief and encouraging exercise as they age.

Foreman, a Federal Way Senior Commission member since 2022, was born in Iowa, but moved to Seattle when she was 8, growing up on Queen Anne Hill. Foreman said she went on to graduate from Queen Anne High School and pursued some college studies, then ultimately got married and started a family.

Foreman said after she started a family, she and her first husband moved to Federal Way in 1969 and bought a house in the Twin Lakes area. Foreman said that, at the time, they had moved to Federal Way because it was a small city, but it was still close to Seattle.

Foreman said she worked as an admin manager for a security software company, and her husband owned a construction company that mostly operated in Federal Way. Foreman said her first husband passed away, and she went on to marry her second husband, who passed away in 2018.

Foreman said that’s what got her involved in the community. She said she went through a lot of grief losing her first and then second husband, alongside friends, as time went on. She said the loss of friends and family is what encouraged her to stay connected.

“I went through Grief Share, a program for people experiencing grief,” Foreman said. “I still meet six of those widows. Every Thursday for six years, we’ve been meeting for lunch, and I just think it’s a good program for people.”

Foreman said when her husband passed, she started getting involved in the community by volunteering with FUSION. She also began frequenting the Federal Way Community Center for exercise. Foreman said the community center is where she saw an opening for the senior commission.

Foreman said she wanted to join the commission to help seniors navigate fitness and grief. Foreman said she’s helped seniors with health through her involvement in planning the yearly senior health fair.

Foreman said for this year’s senior health fair, she will bring grief help to seniors through Grief Share. Foreman said Grief Share hasn’t been at the senior health fair yet, but she thought it was a good resource, so she bought Grief Share a table at the senior health fair that will occur later this year.

Foreman said regarding exercise, she encourages seniors to just keep moving. Foreman said at 85, she continues exercising daily, trying to walk at least five miles a day. She said if seniors don’t keep moving, they start developing health issues, needing to utilize canes and wheelchairs.

Foreman said as a commission member, she wants to get more involved with helping seniors realize the importance of fitness. Foreman said she has a hiking group, and every Tuesday, they do local hikes or do more strenuous five-mile hikes depending on the day.

Foreman said about 16 seniors join her every week. She said she also likes to go line dancing every Monday.

“Just get out and walk if you can. That’s a big one. That’s the biggest,” Foreman said. “Move. Don’t sit in front of the TV all day.”

Regarding her favorite parts of Federal Way, Foreman said it’s the trails and the theater. She said she doesn’t eat out a lot, but when she does, Verrazano’s is her favorite restaurant.

FYI

The Federal Way Senior Commission meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the Month at 2 p.m. at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public. Find the commission on Facebook to learn more.