Will Power: Remarkable lives lead to inspiring legacies 

There are many different paths that lead people to the causes they care about. Some paths are full of joy and adventure. Others contain obstacles of tragedy and hardship. No matter the nature of the journey, each are fascinating and inspiring. 

The Victoria Foundation has been honoured to be a part of helping many remarkable people honour their life’s path by finding the best way to ensure their favourite causes continue to receive their support long after their journey has ended. 

By considering their life’s legacy and taking the steps to have everything in place before their passing, the care and kindness of these extraordinary individuals lives on. 

John 

From an early age, John was taught by his mother about the importance of learning a trade. Heeding her sage advice, John trained to become a pastry chef, a trade he practiced first in Holland and then in Victoria, after immigrating to Canada. John also had a passion for antiques and collectables, which later led to him, together with his partner, opening a successful antique shop in the heart of Victoria. Outside of work, John and his partner shared a love of music, often attending local performances.

To honour his life’s interests, through his estate John established scholarships for both students of music and those pursuing a career in the trades. As each had brought such meaning to John’s life, he wanted to help ensure others have the same opportunities to pursue their passions. 

Bel 

Throughout her life, Bel was passionate about community. While living in New York, Colorado, San Francisco, and, eventually, Victoria, Bel became involved with many organizations working towards the betterment of community. In her professional life too, as a psychiatric social worker,

Bel believed in the vital importance of helping people. After Bel and her husband retired in Victoria, she wasted no time in becoming immersed in local causes. Bel was a strong advocate for services for seniors and a committed proponent of the arts. Bel cared deeply, lived fully, and gave her time and energy generously. The legacy gift Bel left behind is a tribute to her generosity of spirit and her love for her chosen community.

 

Vic 

Over the course of his life, Vic turned an early family tragedy into an opportunity to help others. At the age of 12, Vic’s sister contracted red measles and suffered permanent paralysis and speech loss. This devastating experience inspired a lifelong devotion to philanthropy. When, later in life, Vic’s sister died, he helped facilitate her legacy gift, which supported tests for metabolic disorders for every baby born in BC. Vic went on to support the program himself and when he died at the age of 99, he left over a million dollars to the program and other charities serving children and seniors, further honouring the memory of his sister. 

Helen

Helen loved hats. Growing up in France, she was introduced to hats as a fashion statement and conversation starter. Later in life, now living in Canada and after the passing of her husband, Helen devoted her time to collecting her beloved hats.

One by one, her colourful and unique collection grew to over 200, and hung on her walls as beautiful pieces of art.

When Helen later moved into independent living, her hats came with her. She always wore one to meals and would lend them out to other residents on special occasions. She even hosted a fashion show where 30 of her hats were showcased, each worn by a different resident.

As she neared the end of her life, Helen decided she wanted her hats to go on to do some good. Remembering the compassionate care her husband had received at hospice, through her will, Helen donated her hats to be auctioned off to raise money in support of hospice care.

Tommy 

Over the 100 years of his life, Tommy built a legacy of wisdom, humour, community engagement, and a love for the arts. As a teacher of social studies, history, and drama, Tommy touched the lives of over 6,000 students. His career was the cornerstone of a lifetime of giving, both of his knowledge and of his financial assets.

With a love of orchestras, opera, museums, and more, Tommy ensured his ongoing support for the arts by arranging continued contributions through his estate, along with a scholarship for fine arts students. Through these gifts, Tommy’s passion for art and his kindness towards those around him continues to be felt. 

 

 

Robert & Gary 

Robert and Gary met in 1965, finding in each other a shared passion for teaching and travel. Over the course of their long careers as teachers, they took the time to explore the world, traveling throughout New Zealand, the United States, and Europe. In 1996, Gary was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Over the course of many years, the couple’s lives revolved around Gary’s health. They moved from Salt Spring Island to be closer to health services, they joined and started support groups, and they became deeply involved with Island Prostate Centre. They also made sure to continue to travel whenever they could. Gary died in 2003, but by then he and Robert had taken the steps to leave charitable contributions as part of their estates, including an endowment at the Victoria Foundation supporting Island Prostate Centre, Victoria Hospice, and other health and arts organizations. Together, their joy for life and their deep care and support for all those around them lives on. 

Rudi 

At the age of 18, Rudi became a prisoner of war in Japan while serving with the Dutch Armed Forces during the Second World War. While imprisoned in Nagasaki, he survived the atomic bomb that devastated the city in 1945. After making it out of the war alive, Rudi immigrated to Canada with $50 in

 his pocket. He would go on to get married, build a life, and slowly heal from the devastating experiences of war. His appreciation for the value of life and the generosity he had been shown from others led to a deep care for his community. For the rest of his life, he gave both his time and financial support to services for veterans, hospice care, and children’s health, and was known for his remarkable bright spirit and positive outlook. Rudi was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Susan 

As a resident of Salt Spring Island, Susan was an intensely private person. But that didn’t mean she didn’t care about others. In fact, she donated anonymously throughout her life, offering substantial support to  wildlife conservation, arts, health, and other issues she was passionate about. In 1990, Susan purchased Clayoquot Island, near Tofino, concerned it might end up being developed. Her goal was to protect the Island as a place of nature and she did so by establishing, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Clayoquot Island Preserve, ensuring the island would stay wild in perpetuity. Before the end of her life, Susan established the Cereus Fund with the Victoria Foundation to ensure her intentions and motivations continue to be honoured and carried out. The fund is named for the cereus cactus, which, though well protected from the surrounding world, blooms annually for one night only, providing a brief glimpse of the beauty within. 

The stories of those who have arranged to leave legacy gifts are as unique as their approaches to giving back. The Victoria Foundation team is here to help you discover and carry out your charitable wishes, as you plan your legacy giving. 

To help inspire more Canadians to leave charitable gifts in a Will, the Victoria Foundation has partnered with the national Will Power campaign. Through the Will Power website you can find a wealth of information and variety of tools to help you discover the power of your own Will. 

To learn more about Will Power, please visit: www.willpower.ca

To learn more about legacy giving with the Victoria Foundation, please visit: victoriafoundation.bc.ca/legacy-giving-and-wills/