I know several people who were active and healthy while they worked. Within a year of retiring, they became sick and weak, then died. It seems that having a useful job to do keeps people more healthy. If they retire without an active plan, they seem to go downhill.
That's just my personal observation.
I prefer to keep active, physically and mentally, for as long as possible. I hope I don't get forced to retire. As long as I can work at least part time I will be happy.
Also, she wasn't the least bit stuck up. She was very patient with a young novice sailor (me), who was very nervously interviewing her. (My more experienced Photographer's Mate helped me, too.)
She certainly was a role model who proved that women can excel in science and the military without any special "help" or programs.
She truly impressed me when I met her in the early 70's, and I never forgot her. Her inspiration kept me going when I was taking classes in BASIC, FORTRAN, and COBOL. I figured if she could develop a computer language, the least I could do was learn them.
I know what you mean.