Otago Community Hospice funding and marketing co-ordinator Lyn Chapman (centre) joins with Public Trust estate manager Rob Bailey (left) and Public Trust Dunedin manager Irene Russell (right) in acknowledging the extraordinary bequest of almost $360,000 left to the hospice by Dunedin woman Geraldine Miller.
Otago Community Hospice funding and marketing coordinator Lyn Chapman was delighted to accept the funds on Monday from Public Trust Dunedin manager Irene Russell and estate manager Rob Bailey on behalf of the estate of Dunedin woman Geraldine Miller.
Mrs Miller, who died last year at the age of 83, had always remembered the kindness of hospice staff to her late husband William Miller, who died in 2003, and was grateful for the support she herself received.
‘‘It is a wonderful gift to receive - the largest I have seen in my five years with the hospice,'' Mrs Chapman said.
‘‘Every bequest is significant, but this one is monumental.''
An extended family spokesman said the hospice had been close to Mrs Miller's heart and the family was delighted that her contribution was being acknowledged.
A former home economics and cooking teacher, Mrs Miller, who had no children, signalled her intention to bequeath her estate to the hospice several years ago. She became a member of the hospice's Monarch Club bequest programme, and was visited regularly by Mrs Chapman and hospice volunteers.
‘‘She was a delightful lady, who loved to correspond with us,'' Mrs Chapman said.
From facing a financial crisis last year, the Otago Community Hospice is in a much healthier position thanks to the generosity of charitable organisations and the Otago Daily Times' ‘‘Help the Hospice'' campaign, which raised more than $300,000.
Mrs Miller's bequest of $357,713 would go into the hospice's Foundation Trust to assist with future operating costs, Mrs Chapman said.
