A Legacy Most Lovely

Dearest Gentle Reader,

There are stories one hears in hushed tones, whispers of bold beginnings, quiet revolutions, and love affairs not of the romantic sort, but of purpose.

One such tale begins not in a ballroom, but in the basement of a hospital.

It was there, beneath the bustle of Battlefords Union Hospital, that a most determined woman, Miss Sharon Spence, began what some might call a fundraising affair of the heart. She was the very first Executive Director of the BUH Foundation, entrusted with an office of dust and dreams, and a mission to build something from nothing.

And, dear reader, build she did.

“The amount people gave didn’t matter,” she once confided. “It was what they gave of themselves. That’s what was precious.”

Through years of loyal service, Miss Spence not only witnessed the generosity of others she became its embodiment. And when the time came to reflect upon her own legacy, she made a most noble decision:

She included a gift to the BUH Foundation in her Will.

“If I hadn’t worked there, I wouldn’t have seen it firsthand the care, the dedication, the absolute necessity of this hospital. I knew I had to do my part to ensure it continues.”

It was not a grand gesture for recognition, but a quiet vow for continuity. A promise that care would carry on for strangers she’d never meet, in moments she’d never witness.

And, dear reader, is that not the most romantic notion of all?

Though decades have passed, Sharon’s devotion has not waned. She still gives annually. She has been a patient, advocate, and family member; her late husband was treated here, her health tended to, and her great-grandchild was born within these very walls.

“We don’t redo our Wills often,” she mused, “but when we do, it’s a perfect time to ask ourselves what we wish to leave behind.”

Let it be known legacy is not measured in grandeur, but in grace. Miss Spence, with three children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, reminds us that loving one’s family and leaving a gift to the community need not be mutually exclusive.

“Family comes first,” she said. “But this kind of gift… it touches many families. For years to come.”

So, dearest reader, if ever your heart stirs at the thought of leaving a mark beyond your time, take a page from Sharon’s story. A gift in your Will is a love letter to a future you may never see but one that will forever carry your name.

Until next time,

Your Humble Scribe