People give philanthropic gifts for different reasons and often there is an interesting story about how a gift reaches the Memorial Medical Center Foundation (MMCF).

One story lies behind a $1.3 million bequest from Doris Hines. This genteel lady grew up in Minnesota, was a US Marine during WWII, loved roses and was a service volunteer at Long Beach Memorial. She died in July 2005 and was remembered in the November 2005 issue of Mercury (page 40).

This story begins in 1957, when Doris moved next door to Nancy Elizabeth (Betty) and Hves Primeaux in Long Beach. Doris learned that Nancy came to Long Beach from West Virginia with her parents, attended Poly High School and married Hves, a Navy sailor. They enjoyed being neighbors, but were busy with their individual lives. In 1985, Doris retired and in 1987, Nancy’s husband passed away, so now both lived alone. They became fast friends, watched out for each other and traveled many places, including international rose shows in Europe. At home, Doris tended her rose garden and Nancy did weight training with personal trainer, Dean Costales.

Now it is 2005. Dean, owner of Fitness Essentials, has several clients connected with Long Beach Memorial - his medical center of choice. He and his family experienced excellent care there and he knew about the MMCF. He asked Nancy if she and Doris would be interested in learning about both. They said yes, so Dean brought them to the medical center for lunch and information. Later, Doris called Jim Normandin, president of the MMCF, for bequest wording in her Will. Her desire was to leave a legacy and benefit patients at LBMMC. Jim provided wording, but percentages and/or amounts for distribution were left for decisions with her own financial advisor.

BEQUEST Doris was fortunate to have a caring niece, Barbara LePorte, administer her estate. Doris’ story does not end with her very thoughtful, generous, unrestricted $1.3 million bequest. The MMCF board of directors established the Doris Hines Endowment for “the area of greatest need” to carry her name in perpetuity. A Bequest through a will or trust can provide for heirs and charities of your choice. A charitable bequest (gift) is an opportunity to secure your legacy, benefit an area of your interest without using needed discretionary funds, and may provide estate tax benefits. For helpful information about a bequest, contact Julie Heggeness, JD, at 562.933.1669,  jheggeness@memorialcare.org or Jim Normandin, MMCF President, at 562.933.1667, jnormandin@memorialcare.org.