Jane Davidson: Resident Creates Legacy With "Benevolence and Estate Planning"
 Jane
Davidson was born and raised in New Cumberland, PA, and though she loved to
travel, she never had any desire to move from the area she considered home. When
the time was right, in 1990, Jane simply changed communities—leaving New
Cumberland for a new life at Bethany Village.
“For 25 years,” she said at the time, “it has been my goal to become a
‘cottager,’ and now I simply want to enjoy being a part of the Bethany family.”
As it turned out, that enjoyment went both ways. Jane quickly became active in
Bethany life, volunteering in numerous capacities and making friends throughout
the community. She served on the Wesley Board of Directors and the Residents’
Council, and volunteered at the Bethany Village Health Care Center.
Jane was also pivotal in establishing the Gallery of Goodies, a favorite
gathering place for residents looking for good company and a snack.
While there is little doubt Jane was a good neighbor, she was much more. “Jane
showed her appreciation for the Bethany mission through her benevolence and
estate planning,” says Matthew Madden, Director of Development for Bethany
Village and Epworth Manor.
“She was one of the first residents to take advantage of the charitable gift
annuity program, quickly seeing the value of this gifting option. This is
something she learned, no doubt, from her years of experience as a bank trust
officer.” This was also just the beginning of her generosity.
When Jane passed away in 2005, she left a bequest in her estate for the
endowment fund, so that other Bethany Village residents who, through no fault
their own have outlived all of their financial resources, will not be asked to
leave due to financial hardship.
“Jane Davidson,” Madden says, “is a wonderful example of a Bethany resident: a
friend, a servant, a leader, and an advocate of the values and principles of a
caring and committed Villager. She is greatly missed, but her legacy will live
on.”
Bess
Hershelman: Former Resident Shows Love for Springhill with a Bequest
 People
who knew Bess Hershelman agree that while she was a kind-hearted woman who was
always considerate of others, she was also a person who lived life on her own
terms. “She knew what she wanted and knew what she liked,” says Jim Schneider,
Springhill’s Executive Director. “One of the things Bess really appreciated was
living at Springhill.”
Bess, who was a Talon Inc. executive’s wife and very active in her home
community of Meadville, Pa., came to Springhill in October 1993. She lived in an
apartment here for 10 years, moving to ForestView Health Care Center in November
2003.
In September 2005, Bess passed away—but not before demonstrating her fondness
for Springhill one final time. She left the continuing care retirement community
a bequest in her will. The gift will be used in a manner that best benefits
Springhill and its residents.
“Bess had many friends at Springhill,” Schneider says, “and they all had nothing
but nice things to say about her. She enjoyed her friends. …She enjoyed social
functions. …And she never missed bridge or bingo. You would regularly see her
out and about.”
Others who knew Bess described her as “stately and always welldressed,” with a
“great laugh” and a “charismatic personality.” She was “very determined—a very
strong lady and expressive of her point of view,” yet someone who was respectful
to the other Springhill residents and was well respected in return.
One and all, Bess’ friends and Springhill’s staff appreciated her for “always
thinking about sharing her good fortune with others.” She did this in life, and
she did it again with a bequest in her will. Springhill and all of its residents
are most appreciative for the generosity of Bess Hershelman.
Betty Holz: A Wonderful Lady, A
Wonderful Legacy
Everyone who met Betty Holz was better for the experience. She was very well
read, had an engaging intellect, was passionate about politics, and was blessed
with a dry sense of humor and a kind heart. She was not shy either, especially
when it came to telling others about her love of Asbury Methodist Village (AMV).
As a native of North Carolina, Betty wore her colors proudly: the baby blue of
the University of North Carolina. She would happily engage in a good-hearted
debate with anyone professing allegiance to another university—particularly
Duke, UNC’s intrastate rival.This same passion was evident, as well, in many
areas of her life.
Betty gladly served on the Asbury Foundation Board of Directors, where she was
active in promoting charitable support of Asbury Methodist Village and the
Benevolent Care program. She often invited her friends and neighbors at AMV to
join her for lunch to discuss their support of Benevolent Care.
“It was hard to say no to Betty when she would invite you to help this worthy
program,” says Douglas C. Myers, president and CEO of the Asbury Foundation.
“She continually spread the word to friends and neighbors.”
When Betty passed away in 2005, Asbury Methodist Village and the Asbury
Foundation lost a wonderful resident, friend and philanthropist. Betty’s caring
spirit and commitment to Benevolent Care will live on, however, thanks to her
thoughtful and careful planning.
Betty made provisions in her estate plan for two of the great loves in her life:
Asbury Methodist Village and Grace United Methodist Church. Her generosity and
her forethought will help Asbury continue its marvelous tradition of helping
senior citizens who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their
resources.
If you would like to follow in Betty’s footsteps and leave a legacy to benefit
the Benevolent Care program or AMV, please call the Asbury Foundation office at
(301) 216-4051.
“A bequest is a great way to help others while having full use of your resources
during your lifetime,” Myers says. “All gifts will ultimately be used to benefit
seniors in need.”
Lurene Maddux: Leaving Bequest to
Benevolent Care “Is Something I Wanted to Do"
Lurene Maddux traveled the world with her late husband, a chemical engineer. The
couple lived overseas, in Iran and Turkey, as well as in several parts of the
United States.
Today, Maddux, who celebrated her 89th birthday on May 29, is a resident of
Asbury~Solomons Island and calls it “one of the best places I’ve seen.
“It is very comfortable here—I have a very nice apartment,” she says. She moved
from Houston to one of the community’s independent living apartments nearly four
years ago to be near her daughter. “They will take care of you to the end of
your life,” Maddux says.
She says she participates in water exercises two to three times a week, takes
chair exercises twice a week, and also enjoys playing bridge and visiting with
her new friends.
Though Maddux freely admits to still missing her life and her friends in
Houston, she also says without hesitation that she is “very satisfied” being at
Asbury~Solomons Island—so satisfied, in fact, that she has named the community
as one of the recipients of a trust.
Maddux’s gift will support benevolent care, a special fund that provides
financial assistance to Asbury~Solomons Island residents who, through no fault
of their own, have outlived all of their financial resources. Benevolent care
allows these residents to remain in their homes and/or continue to receive care.
“I wanted to help make sure that the people who run out of money are well cared
for,” says Maddux, who will divide the proceeds from the sale of appreciated
securities between the benevolent care program and her four grandsons.
“I live here—this is close to me—and this is just something I wanted to do. I
hear of a lot of other people doing things for Asbury~Solomons Island,”Maddux
says. “I wanted to help, too.” |
