10/09/2026
October 4-10 is recognized as Make a Will Week, encouraging people to write their will or bring an existing will up-to-date. Wills are incredibly important to ensure your wishes are carried through after you pass, and also divide your assets in a way that makes the most sense to you.
Eldercare is hugely fortunate to have benefitted from a number of people who planned ahead, and left funds to ensure the dignity of seniors across Vancouver Island. While we have many such examples, none makes this more clear than Ruth A. Gardner.
The local Victorian was a psychologist and social worker who dedicated her life to helping people. To continue helping people after she was gone, Ruth chose to create a remainder gift in her will to Eldercare. This resulted in a donation of $53,215 when she died in 1983 – funds that Eldercare promptly invested, using the interest to support research projects aimed at improving care for seniors and those living with chronic illnesses. This initial fund has now contributed to more than $150,000 in research grants to dozens of projects, and her legacy continues to grow. Each year, the Ruth A. Gardner Research Award Fund now provides $10,000 to a researcher at UVic’s Institute for Aging and Lifelong Health, to ensure care continues to evolve with the changing needs of Island seniors.
Ruth wasn’t rich, but a few lines in her will has made an impact across generations of Island families. Maybe you could be that powerful too.
