Spring 2004 Edition
Front Cover
Learning Support Services Celebrates 25 Years
Hagi - Living the Dream
A Gift of Love
Ana Rosales
Campus News
Distinguised Alumni
Faculty News
Ferris
New Athletic Director
Baseball
Athletics
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past issues:
Fall 2003 Scene
June 2003 Scene
She respected Schreiner’s professors and appreciated the caring atmosphere. Even though Florence went on to earn professional nursing credentials at another institution, Schreiner remained the school of her heart. So it was no surprise when the 1951 alumna stopped by the campus many years ago and told us she was going to include Schreiner College in her estate plans. A few years later when her husband died, Florence honored Daniel’s memory by establishing a charitable gift annuity. While it would provide income to her for the rest of her life, her planned gift would someday begin an endowed scholarship in her beloved husband’s name.
As she was putting her affairs in order after Daniel’s death, Florence decided that Schreiner would become the sole beneficiary of her estate. Florence and Daniel had no children, and most of her distant relatives lived far away. For many years, we at Schreiner had known of this generous decision, and we were grateful.What surprised us, however, was a telephone call in March from a Houston attorney. He conveyed the sad news that Florence had just passed away after a short illness. The attorney suggested Schreiner send someone to review her household belongings and make decisions about the distribution of her possessions.
I had visited Florence’s small retirement apartment before and knew that it was crowded. I also knew that she had been a dedicated genealogy buff and had located just about every known ancestor in America and Europe. In many ways, her home was a small genealogy archive, a tidy museum that delighted Florence daily.
As I drove to Houston, I wondered what I would find when I opened her apartment door. What I soon discovered as I sorted through Florence’s belongings was that she had organized her life and her estate thoroughly and thoughtfully, leaving only one question for me to answer. What would I do with her years of family research?
Fortunately, one of Florence’s friends connected me to a distant cousin who also loved genealogy. What a relief it was two weeks later to help Florence’s relatives pack up volumes and volumes of family history: courthouse records, maps, newspapers, baptismal certificates, photographs. Florence’s beloved genealogy research had found a new and loving home.
With that concern taken care of, I addressed the task of locating all of
Florence’s important papers. What an easy task it was! In one file, Florence had listed all of her accounts—from insurance policies and retirement funds to banks and stocks. Another file provided the names and contact information for her attorney, insurance agent, doctor, pharmacy,
church and closest friends.
One well-marked box in her closet contained keys for every chest, suitcase, file and briefcase (neatly labeled key by key). Florence’s fastidious and thorough organization set a wonderful example of “leaving affairs in order.” (See story below.)
The collection that touched me
most deeply was Florence’s
“Schreiner drawer.” Nearly all of the
correspondence Schreiner had ever
sent her was chronologically
arranged and noted. Even when
Florence had moved four years ago
to her retirement apartment, she
had brought with her all of her Schreiner Former Students
Association memorabilia. It made a lump in my throat as I
sorted through her Century Club plaque, SFSA certificate,Schreiner Oaks correspondence, and letters from former president Sam Junkin (with whom she had attended first grade!)
As I spoke to Florence’s neighbors and friends, it was easy to recreate the
kind of life Florence had lived. She enjoyed small pleasures—encouraging a
friend, sending an email to someone far away, learning new skills on her computer, attending church, pursuing her ancestor research.
One could assume her unpretentious lifestyle reflected modest financial
reserves. Yet Florence Swing Hayes left a bequest that is far from modest. In life, she demonstrated a great love for history and “things past.” In death, she honored her husband and her alma mater by endowing a magnificent scholarship— large enough to help several worthy students
every year. Forever.
The best gift you can provide your loved ones is to make it as easy as possible for them at the time of your death.
I. Leave enough liquid cash in an obvious location to sustain your survivors and pay the expenses of your estate until your will can be recorded and your executor receives the formal Letters Testamentary.
II. Plan your own funeral.
III. Try to leave as little debt as possible, with clear records and payment schedules.
IV. Write your own obituary.
V. Write a guilt-free letter to your children, spouse, etc.
VI. Organize your records, and tell your executor and/or family members where to find them. These records should include a statement of assets and liabilities, and a list of friends, relatives and business contacts. Also, provide access to past tax returns, insurance policies, medical files, your will, a list of your bank accounts, safety deposit boxes and their keys, a record of your valuables, how to contact your insurance agent, and computer passwords.
VII. Openly discuss your arrangements for your death at a family meeting.
VIII. Take care of your health. Try not to die before your time.
For more information, contact Karen Davis Kilgore, SU planned giving advisor, at 830/896-1787 or click here for the "Giving To Schreiner" web site.
Most of these suggestions were compiled by Nancy Berry and Jennifer Hill. They are used with their permission.