Leaving a Legacy Behind
Marion Murphy made a difference in the lives of families experiencing dementia. She had a passion for helping others in her community and chose to leave a gift in her will to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba so she could continue supporting families navigating dementia.
Leaving a charitable gift in your will allows you to make a significant impact on the causes you care about. No matter how much you give, your will is powerful and you can make a bigger difference than you realize.
Marion left a lasting legacy by leaving a gift in her will, but she was also an important part of our dementia community. A retired teacher, Marion began volunteering for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba in 1995 after she saw a request for volunteer fundraisers in the paper.
“Even though I don’t meet the people who have Alzheimer’s or their families, it makes me feel better, knowing that I am helping others,” Marion told the Alzheimer Society back in 2009. “Doing something for others, helping them, it is in me.”
Marion also got involved with the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, walking on behalf of family members and friends living with dementia. She was the top fundraiser in the province for many years, working tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for the Society every year during the annual Walk. She would go door-to-door around her neighbourhood from the end of April until late June collecting pledges and educating others about dementia.
“I haven’t tested it with a pedometer so I don’t know how far I go, but on average I spend an hour and a half out collecting pledges,” Marion said during a previous interview. “A good many homes I go to now say, ‘Oh hi Marion, it’s nice to see you again’.”
In 2004, Marion was the first recipient of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s annual Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award.
“Marion truly helped many families affected by dementia,” says Rebecca Krowelski, Marketing & Communications Director, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “We looked forward to seeing her every week during Walk season. She’d bring in the donations she collected and had us carefully count every penny — she genuinely cared about how this money was being spent. We all fell in love with Marion Murphy.”
Marion passed away in 2021, but her passion for helping others didn’t end there. By leaving a gift in her will to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, her efforts to help individuals and families affected by dementia continued.
“I think that we all need to be advocates for people with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Marion. “With education, people are more aware of the disease. If it comes to the point where it is known that there is help available, then I am happy.”
Marion has truly left a legacy behind, not only in her dedication to the dementia community but also in the ongoing work at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.
For more information about the power of your will and the financial benefits of leaving a legacy gift, visit the Will Power website.