Friendships Matter
A passion for PHS’ mission leads couple to make will bequests
“Friendships matter at our age,” smiles Carolyn Cuthill. She continues, “We’re fortunate to call Waverly Gardens our home.” Carolyn and her husband, Bob, celebrated their three-year anniversary of living in Waverly Gardens’ Mews neighborhood this past August.
The Cuthills have been friends of Presbyterian Homes & Services for over thirty years. Bob, a retired Presbyterian pastor, served as the Synod Executive of the Synod of the Lakes and Prairies Presbyterian Church (USA) from 1979 until his retirement in 1995. During his tenure, he also served on the PHS board of directors. During some of those years, Carolyn worked in a marketing role at Gideon Pond, the independent living apartments that are a part of the Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington campus.
“Our fellow residents and the staff make it such a joy to live at Waverly Gardens,” says Carolyn. She adds, “We are with our peers here. Together, we acknowledge growing older and have honest conversations with each other that our years left in this life are growing shorter. But we keep it upbeat, too—we have a lot of fun laughing together!”
In addition to regularly gathering with other residents at the Town Center for breakfast, the Cuthills are involved in numerous activities at Waverly Gardens. They helped start a Memorial Day and Labor Day picnic tradition that continues to grow in attendance each year. Bob and other woodworkers repair and build custom furniture in a woodshop Bob helped launch. And, just recently, Carolyn started a Parkinson’s support group. “I wanted those of us living with Parkinson’s to have a safe, supportive space to come together. We can be a blessing to each other,” she shares.
Bob and Carolyn chose to make a bequest through their wills to PHS. “We designated our will bequest to ‘where the need is greatest’ at PHS because we have full trust in the decisions that the board of directors and senior leadership will continue to make. The commitment of the board to serve low-income older adults was also a significant motivation for us to make a bequest. We know PHS will continue to be a pacesetter for older adult services.” Carolyn adds, “As a former employee, I continue to have a deep love for PHS’ mission. Making this gift to help future residents means so much to me.”