For more information on planned giving and how you can make a gift to the PECMH Foundation in your Will, please click here.

Plan to make a difference: Marion's story

By: Briar Boyce

Giving can encompass many things. For Marion Smith, sharing what you have is the right thing to do, whether it's giving of your time, your money or both.

Like many local residents who count on our community hospital for health care, Smith is no exception. Her husband Vic spent his final days at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital and when he died, she wanted to give back to the hospital that cared for her ailing husband. Today, she is an avid supporter of the PECMH Foundation and health care in the County with her financial contributions toward the purchase of medical equipment.

Smith recognizes the importance of supporting our hospital and the reason is simple; to keep the hospital a strong, viable and vibrant institution.

"I don't want to have to go to any other Hospital in an emergency, and I don't think others do either,” she said. "We have to give to support the hospital so it stays here. If every household in the County were to give $20.00, we'd be laughing.”

Smith realizes the Foundation relies solely on donations from the community to fund medical equipment. She also advocates on behalf of our local hospital to encourage charitable giving from everyone no matter their background. She thinks of all who use the hospital and never pay a cent for the service they receive and knows what's here today may not be tomorrow if people continue to take our hospital for granted. She believes the onus to support medical equipment needs shouldn't be placed on a specific person, but on the entire community.

"People are taking, but are not willing to give. If we want a hospital and we want to be able to serve our community, we all have to help, no matter the amount. It's the idea of helping,” she said.

The decision to give is a highly personal one. One that Smith takes seriously. As well as supporting our hospital, she gives of her time, volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary since 1981.

Smith said her philanthropic ways make life worth living. She asks what the point is in hoarding when she can see firsthand how her money is being used to purchase medical equipment that saves lives now. She also points out the benefits of being a donor, stating she receives tax breaks when she donates money, but the tax relief is only part of the reason she continues to give.

"It's a warm, fuzzy feeling to give. My money benefits the people of Prince Edward County,” she said.

It is not surprising that Smith has already moved forward with a planned gift for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation as part of her estate plans. It's one way she's helping to assure the hospital is here for future generations.

Planned gifts truly are gifts of a lifetime. A charitable gift in the will, whether large or small is a wonderful way for all of us to provide continuing support for the causes that are important to us. Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is a vital part of our community and the Foundation is worthy of consideration in your estate planning process.

Naming the Foundation as a beneficiary in your will is a direct way for you to help others in the community by providing for priority medical equipment and offers an opportunity for you to be remembered for making a contribution to the life of your community.

Sam and Annie's Story:

By: Briar Boyce

A good sense on how to invest money wisely could be the reason Sam and Annie Broughton planned to leave a gift in their will, but most likely it was a love for the community Annie hailed from that prompted the couple to make a charitable bequest to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

In July of 2009, the Foundation was the grateful recipient of two charitable bequests from the Estate of Annie Broughton. One gift was earmarked for the dialysis clinic and the other for medical equipment needs. Their forethought before death will go a long way to ensure the Foundation can continue to advance health care for the residents of Prince Edward County.

Annie Bernice Markland was born in Picton on December 29, 1919. She was the second eldest of seven children, but her younger brother Howard remembers her more as the boss of the household.

"I remember at home there were three bedrooms. One big one and she had to have that one, the only one with heat in it,” he laughed. "She was the boss. It was her way or no way when we were all at home,” Howard smiled.

Growing up on Ontario St., her father managed a local canning factory, Canadian Canners. The factory canned peas and corn. Her mother stayed at home to raise the family, but worked occasionally at the canning factory.

The Markland children spent their time playing hockey and skating in the winter and were busier in the summer. Often the boys would help at the canning factory as men were scarce during the war years.

Even so, the children went to school at the old schoolhouse on Mary St. All seven children completed studies through Grade 8, but only Annie, her older sister Agnes and younger brother Bill completed high school. In high school Annie geared her studies around bookkeeping.

Annie was still living at home when she attended a dance in Picton. Her decision to attend that dance was one that changed her life forever. It was there she met her future husband, Sam.

Ernest "Sam” Broughton was born in England on October 27, 1913. He was the only boy amongst four sisters. He came to Picton from Bradford, England in 1940 or 41. He was stationed up on the hill and served with the Royal Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and flight sergeant. Howard remembers Sam telling him the about seeing advertisements for Canada describing it as a beautiful place in the spring, summer and fall. Sam remarked how nobody had told him about the 25 below zero weather in the winter.

Described as a nice, but quiet fellow who let Annie do all the talking for him, Howard recalls the first time he came to the house to call on Annie.

"We used to have a huge garden. I remember peeling up potatoes and Sam came up and asked, ‘What are you doing boys?’ I answered that we were hauling up potatoes, but as soon as the old man turns his back, we’re gonna quit,” he said.

Sam and Annie were married in Picton in 1944. Howard remembers it was winter because it was a very cold day. After being married, the couple moved back to England for three or four years.

In time they moved back to Canada and settled into a home in Picton where Sam worked as a mechanic in a garage in Bloomfield. After a couple years, they moved to Downsview ( Toronto) Ontario where Sam worked for A.V. Roe, a Canadian aircraft manufacturing company as an aircraft mechanic. Annie held an office job for the government at the Downsview Airport.

Sam and Annie would drive down every weekend to visit her parents. Her mother died at 64 leaving her father home alone. Annie continued to make sure their father was alright.

"She wouldn’t take our word for it,” Howard said. "I remember dad saying, ‘the boss will be here this weekend’,”

The Broughton’s ultimately retired to the County. First moving into a house in Wellington, but eventually settling into a home on Simeon St. in Picton. They were happy and would travel to England every other summer until age kept them home.

Sam was 90 when he died in 2004. Annie was also 90 when she died in 2009. Both resided at the H.J. McFarland Home before dying, thus requiring a greater need for local health care.

"They made a lot of donations to charities,” said Howard. ‘They didn’t have any family of their own and they were well off. Sam was smart; he would invest and make money.”

Planned gifts from individuals like the Broughton’s, enables the Foundation to fulfill its mission of raising money to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County. The Broughton’s have shown their commitment to the health care of the community by deciding to leave a legacy gift to the Foundation.

If you have made a provision in your will for our Foundation or wish more information on planned giving, please contact us.