A ‘LIGHT’ FOR ALL
By Michael Wall - Director of Planned Giving

Lucille would have loved her recent burial service at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Amid rows of alabaster grave markers and undulating blue waves in the distance, Lucille was laid to rest. Her sister, friends and representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy were present.

Father Joe Carroll in committal prayers reminded those present, “The Lord is kind and merciful … grant that our sister will see you face to face and in your light will see light and know the splendor of God.”

In his homily, Father Joe remembered Lucille, whose name means ‘light,’ as a proud member of the Coast Guard during World War II, a loving sister, a dedicated bank employee, a joyful St. Vincent de Paul Village thrift store volunteer, and a woman who patiently suffered illness in the last years of her life. The 21-gun salute and the bugle’s slow and definitive message of goodbye signaled the end of the day and that God is nigh. “The President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard and a grateful nation thank you for your service.”

Admirably Lucille and her sister did estate planning years ago and Father Joe’s Villages was the chosen recipient of their estate. We are grateful for their example of careful and complete estate planning and for their generous bequests to their favorite charity.

   Two hundred and forty thousand Americans died this year during the month of January. During the other months of the year a similar number will die. The estimate is that over two million people will die this year in the United States.

Seventy percent will die without a Will or a Trust.

Six percent of the 30 percent who die with a Will or a Trust will make a gift to charity after their life. With estate planning many more could make a gift.

As the Planned Giving staff for Father Joe’s Villages, we hope to create awareness about the importance of estate planning and including a charity in your estate plans. If we can be of assistance, please call:

Joe Perucca, at (619) 446-2143, or
Email: joe.perucca@neighbor.org
3350 E Street San Diego, CA 92102-3332