Baycrest

24 • BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2023 A GIFT THAT ENDURES Garry and Joanne Foster say their objectives aligned when they were deciding to make a legacy gift to Baycrest. "We're very much in tune with each other," says Joanne, an educator and author of eight books related to child development. "This is not a decision that we had to say 'What do you think?' It was a natural progression of what we wanted to do." The couple became familiar with Baycrest when Joanne's parents received care at the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged. Garry served on boards for Baycrest and its Foundation, and was Foundation president and CEO from 2013 to 2017. The cause appeals to them for a variety of reasons. "Everybody should be able to have a fulfilling life — their entire life — and dementia really robs a lot of people of the best of their later years," says Garry, who had a long career at Deloitte and was Vice Chair from 2006 to 2013. He is impressed by how Baycrest takes care of people and covers medical, social and other needs. "It's one thing to support an organization in your lifetime when you can see it, but you want the organization to endure past your lifetime," he says. "So I think continuing that support after you're gone is important." Joanne recalls that her parents received wonderful care at Baycrest. Her father enjoyed the music and spiritual programming. In earlier years, he had been a volunteer selling lottery tickets to the residents. "He got so excited every time a resident actually won something. He was beaming. It gave them great pleasure, so in turn it gave him pleasure." Memories like these surface as the Fosters reflect on their decision to include Baycrest in their wills. It's one thing to support an organization in your lifetime when you can see it, but you want the organization to endure past your lifetime. So I think continuing that support after you're gone is important. Garry Foster The couple has shared their philosophy of giving with their own two children and five grandchildren, ages four to 13. They want to make an impact as Baycrest cares for future generations and, hopefully, defeats dementia, Garry says. "Baycrest has heart," Joanne says. "It all comes down to the relationship factor — the understanding of a person's individual needs and respecting those in a genuine and caring way." Visit joannefoster.ca to learn about Dr. Joanne Foster's work in the field of gifted education. Contact Becki Willoughby at bwilloughby@baycrest.org for information on legacy giving.

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