Make a legacy gift

Kelly Rider and her Mom, Barb, pictured the last time they went to the ballet together before the pandemic.

Kelly Rider and her Mom, Barb, pictured the last time they went to the ballet together before the pandemic.Barbara Rider was a lovely woman who always had a smile on her face and gave back to her community through volunteering whenever her talents were
needed.

When Barb died suddenly on June 10, 2021, it came as no surprise to Kelly, Barb’s daughter that a portion of her mother’s estate was to go to Hospice Care Ottawa.

Barb had seen the importance of hospice care in our community. In 2010, Barb’s mother died peacefully at the May Court Hospice. When Barb’s husband was dying of cancer, she did not want him dying in hospital, so she worked with the community nurses at hospice and the palliative care doctors to keep him at home throughout his illness. After he died at home, Barbara accessed bereavement services at Hospice Care Ottawa. She later became involved as a volunteer, helping out at special events.

“When I think of Barb it makes me smile,” says Ruth Cameron, former Special Events Coordinator at Hospice Care Ottawa. “When doing fundraising events Barb would help out any way she could. She made beautiful quilts for our auctions and even used her sewing skills for items needed in the hospice residence.”

Before Barb’s husband passed away, they updated their Wills to include a percentage of their estate to be donated to Hospice Care Ottawa. For some family members, hearing about a gift in a Will to a charitable organization can come as a surprise. Talking about estate planning can be a difficult conversation to have, but Kelly understood what Hospice Care Ottawa meant to her mom and knows it simply was the right thing to do.

“Just do it, have the discussion,” Kelly says about talking about a charitable gift in your Will. “Know you are doing good for all who enter Hospice Care Ottawa. At some point, you or someone you know will need hospice care.”

Barb Rider was much loved. If you needed anything, Barb was there, caring, always with a smile, always ready to help in any way. She was one of a kind and will be missed by her family, many friends, and those whose lives she touched along the way. Barb’s legacy of caring for others will live on through her bequest to Hospice Care Ottawa.

In the Spring of 2018 Chris Chance visited the May Court Hospice.

He came to see for himself, the place and programs that meant so much to his parents, David and Nancy Chance, and, to personally deliver a bequest to Hospice Care Ottawa from his parents’ estate. He spoke with quiet pride
about his mother and father.

Nancy Chance was born in Winnipeg. Teacher, artist and hospice volunteer. Nancy was one of the original hospice volunteers back in the early days. At the May Court Hospice, she could be found in the art room on Thursdays during Day Hospice, sharing her passion for art with her compassion for people.

“I still have a watercolour of a vase of roses that Nancy painted and gave to me, even though she said she didn’t think it was that good”, recalls Megan Doyle-Ray, former Manager of Fund Development at the Hospice at May Court.

David was Ottawa born. A wartime pilot in the RCAF, career civil servant, cross country skier, golfer and volunteer with several organizations, he was drawn into the circle of caring at the hospice by Nancy. He became a valued volunteer driver taking guests to and from the Day Hospice program so that they could enjoy time in the community which gave their caregivers a break. David always had hugs and smiles for everyone.

Both Nancy and David embraced their volunteer work at the May Court Hospice. It gave them the opportunity to do something good for the community. They saw hospice as a warm and welcoming place, a place of joy.

Nancy is described by a friend and colleague as having a “giant and kind heart … who did thoughtful things quietly”. So it was no surprise to her family that she chose to remember hospice in her will.

Nancy and David left their mark on Hospice Care Ottawa and continue to do so with their generous gift.

Hospice ​Care Ottawa receives a specific (or fixed) amount of money.

Sample Wording

“I give the sum of $______ (dollars) to Hospice Care Ottawa, of the City of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada.”

A gift of all or a percentage of whatever remains (the “residue”) after all taxes, ​liabilities, administrative expenses and specific bequests have been paid. The greatest advantage of this bequest is that, as your estate increases or decreases in value over time, your donation remains proportionate.

Sample Wording

​”I give the rest, residue and remainder of my estate [or ____% of the residue] to Hospice Care Ottawa, of the City of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada.”

​This is a gift that takes effect only if the primary intention cannot be met. For example, you direct Hospice Care Ottawa to receive a portion of your estate if other beneficiaries do not survive you.

Sample Wording

​”If [name of beneficiary] does not survive me, or shall die within thirty days from the date of my death, I give to Hospice Care Ottawa, of the City of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, ____% of the residue of my estate [or $________].”