Leaving a legacy of care for generations to come

PEC Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director Shannon with Colleen Allison, Merrial Leslie family friend and executor and Monica Baldwin Tripp, family friend.

Steadfast support for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation has turned into a legacy of care for generations to come.

For more than 26 years, Merrial Leslie has presented 30 gifts to the hospital, often during the holiday season, to help purchase priority medical equipment. Now, after her passing in March, her kindness lives on. Through her estate, the hospital foundation was honoured to receive a bequest of $100,000, a lasting gift that will continue her tradition of caring.

“Investing in our hospital, especially through a legacy gift, allows Merrial to live on through her story of kindness and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This gift helps our hospital to continue serving the community in the future. The foundation is grateful for the opportunity to recognize Merrial for her lifetime of caring and impact.

“Because medical equipment is not funded by the government, donors like Merrial allow our Care Champions to continue delivering high-quality care close to home. Her annual support touched countless lives, ensuring patients and families had access to the tools our hospital staff needed.”

Merrial Leslie

She and her husband, Len, shared 45 years of marriage, creating a partnership marked by devotion and shared purpose. For 58 years, Merrial built a career in Toronto’s real estate development industry. Beyond her professional success, she and Len found joy closer to home on Big Island in Demorestville. In 1961, they purchased a former church and lovingly transformed it into a warm, welcoming sanctuary that reflected their shared vision and care. After Len’s passing in 2005, the home remained a cherished place, filled with the love and memories they had created together.

Coull explained legacy giving — also known as planned giving — helps keep the hospital equipped with the most modern tools and technology. “It’s an excellent way for anyone, regardless of means, to make a lasting difference. You can do this in many ways, such as through your will, or a life insurance policy, creating a meaningful legacy that supports the future of our County hospital. No matter the size, a gift in your will to PECMHF is a lasting testament to the value you place on health care for everyone in our community.”

To learn more about making a gift in your will, visit www.pecmhf.ca/planned-giving.