Directors Letter – August 2021
My heart nearly stopped when my sister called me to let me know that our mom was in the hospital in early March. She was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in January but we thought we had more time. I planned to go home to South Dakota in April to celebrate her 83rd birthday and Easter. We were both looking forward to it. But March 1, she fell and hit her head hard causing a bleed. The doctor thought she would go quickly so I was on a plane home within hours.
My mom, Dee Storjohann, was my friend. She was the kindest, most compassionate and generous person I know. I thought a lot about her unconditional love as I sat by her bed with my sisters over the week long vigil.
My mom had done lots of pre-planning. She assigned power of attorney to my sister who lives nearby. She also made a clear end of life plan so we knew exactly what to tell the doctors what not to do to extend her life.
Everything was planned. So the week after her death, as my sisters and I grieved and planned the funeral it was so much easier than it could have been. She took care of us to the end.
My mom was a very involved volunteer with her church, blood bank, and hospital gift shop. She also delivered Meals on Wheels every Wednesday until about a year ago. So, we were not surprised that she made a bequest in her will to Meals on Wheels. She wanted that legacy of care to continue. She wasn’t rich financially and it wasn’t a huge bequest (only a thousand dollars) but what a difference it made to a small senior center in supporting that program. She was able to make gifts through her will AND take care of her three daughters.
I have been involved with the Sno-Valley Senior Center (SVSC) as an employee or volunteer since 2001. A long time ago, I made SVSC the beneficiary of a small life insurance policy I hold. So there are many things you can do to leave a legacy to be remembered by.
Now, we are going to make things easier to you. We are offering an Estate Planning Day on Tuesday, August 17th. We’ll start with a presentation from 9:30 – 10:30 am. Followed by individual 45 minute appointments from 10:45 – 4:30 pm with the option to spill over into the next day with appointments if needed. This is an opportunity for you to have a free consultation with Elder Law Attorney, Jerry Sprute. Call 425-333-4152 to line up your free appointment and be sure to attend the live presentation at the senior center or you can view it on zoom if you can’t make it in person.
By the way, if you choose to name SVSC in your will or life insurance, you have the option to let us know. We would like to sign you up for the Legacy Society. Let us know if, like my mom, you have a special program or area of focus you’d like us to be aware of.
My mom was a lovely person and I want to be just like her. So I’ll get my affairs in order this month too, because life is unexpected and I want to leave my fingerprints on the world!
Feel free to contact me at lisay@soundgenerations.org or at 425-333-4152, ext. 1 if you have questions or
comments.
Yours in gratitude,
Lisa Yeager, Director