A Kind Heart Lives on Through the Power of Philanthropy
“I never had the pleasure of meeting Claire, a former resident of Benedictine Living Community-Minneapolis,” said Maureen Maher, Benedictine Foundation development director. “But I feel like I know her. I get the opportunity to hear the amazing stories of impact that Claire has made, and continues to make, through her wonderful husband Doug,” Maureen continued. Doug lost Claire in 2020. They were married for nearly 35 years, and Claire was only 65 years old when she passed away. Sometimes life is not fair, but even though she is gone, her kind heart lives on through the support she and Doug give to so many who need it.
It lives on through the meals she cooked and served to the area homeless population. It lives on through the scholarships Doug and Claire provide to area high school students at Claire’s alma mater in South Dakota. It lives on through the music she played in the bell choir at her
church.
Doug is grateful for the care and compassion Claire received as a resident of Benedictine Minneapolis. Our team cares for some of our most vulnerable older adults, including some with tracheostomy tubes and on ventilators. Associates are deeply committed to that work and it means the world to family members. Even though a resident is passing, associates are with the family, guiding and supporting them and ensuring the resident is comfortable and as pain-free as possible.
As Claire’s Pastor said at her funeral, “Claire was a woman of faith with a great capacity for love and friendship. Wherever she was, there was community. Claire loved well and was loved.” Maureen reflected on that love recently: “Claire expanded the love she received and gave it back to all people she touched. And she continues giving that love through philanthropy and the legacy she leaves behind. Because of Doug and Claire, and other supporters, we have been able to remodel so many spaces within our community like the dining room, lobby, resident rooms, nursing stations and our outdoor area, to name a few,” she continued. Peter Momanyi, executive director of Benedictine Minneapolis agreed, saying, “Doug is such a wonderful man.
We are so grateful for all he and Claire have done for us. They have made so many things possible for our community.”
To learn more about the power of philanthropy and leaving your own legacy, visit www.benedictineliving.org/donate
Contact: Maureen Maher, foundation development director, maureen.maher@benedictineliving.org