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Donor Stories

  • A Legacy of Love in Action
    A Legacy of Love in Action
    Lisa Brodoff, retired Seattle University Law Professor Emerita, and her spouse Lynn Grotsky, a retired clinical social worker, have spent the last 42 years embracing pressing community challenges and advocating for others.
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  • Inherited IRA Compliments an Albers Legacy
    Inherited IRA Compliments an Albers Legacy
    For Marsha Tellesbo-Kembel, '70, '77 MBA, building a legacy means giving back and paving the way for future learners in a manner that aligns with her passions, while also honoring her late sister and fellow Seattle University alumna.
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  • Guiding Principles Steer the Southall’s Legacy <bR>Giving
    Guiding Principles Steer the Southall’s Legacy
    Giving
    To realize the impact that thoughtful, intentional giving can have on Seattle University, look no further than Rose Southall and her late husband Jack Southall, '55.
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  • Gift Planning for a Flourishing Future
    Gift Planning for a Flourishing Future
    Welcoming a new academic year at Seattle U through the lens of the new Director of Gift Planning.
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  • Frank and Marilyn '77 Clement Create Legacy Challenge for SU Gives 2022
    Frank and Marilyn '77 Clement Create Legacy Challenge for SU Gives 2022
    Legacy Society members, Frank and Marilyn, have been longtime donors to Seattle University.
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  • Boost Your Awareness of Giving Options
    Boost Your Awareness of Giving Options
    Thank you to everyone who responded to the Seattle University Gift Planning donor survey. The information shared is already shaping our services and communications for this year and beyond.
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  • A Family Passion Combined With Strategic Giving
    A Family Passion Combined With Strategic Giving
    Loyal Seattle U sports fans know the O'Brien name. Terry was married to Eddie O'Brien for almost 25 years. Eddie was one-half of the legendary O'Brien twins, who lifted Seattle University...
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  • In Memoriam - Bequest By Will to Support the New BSU Scholarship
    In Memoriam - Bequest By Will to Support the New BSU Scholarship
    Sharon Green, Class of 1969, was the first woman president, and the first Black woman president of the Seattle University Student Political Union, now called the Student Government of Seattle U.
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  • Q & A with Joe Gaffney, '67
    Q & A with Joe Gaffney, '67
    Joe Gaffney of Dorsey & Whitney's Tax and Estate Planning group is a trusted adviser to numerous families, closely held business owners, trusts and nonprofit organizations. A member...
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  • The Burke Family - Legacy in Action
    The Burke Family - Legacy in Action
    In Suzie Burke's own words, "We come from a family of Catholics with conservative values and entrepreneurial spirit and we are dedicated to being in Seattle." The Burke family's strong...
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  • Giving Back and Staying Engaged
    Giving Back and Staying Engaged
    As the Founder and CEO of LegacyONE Executive Communications, Karen has crafted her own ideal career as a writer, presenter, and book writing coach. Her...
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  • Top 5 Reasons to Create or Update Your Plans
    Top 5 Reasons to Create or Update Your Plans
    Most of us are not born planners. Still, we know we owe it to our loved ones to make our wishes known, and to put documentation in place that will...
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  • A Planned Gift
    A Planned Gift
    The friendship of Dave Madsen, an associate professor in Seattle University's history department, and Mike Koenig, of Koenig Financial Group, goes way back.
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  • Inspired Generosity
    Inspired Generosity
    Betty Woods' relationship with Seattle University began more than 40 years ago during what she describes as a vulnerable time in her life.
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  • Making a Gift that Gives Back
    Making a Gift that Gives Back
    Bernie and Joyce purchased a weekend cabin on waterfront property more than...
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  • Receive Secure Income with a High Return
    Receive Secure Income with a High Return
    Seattle University had just three buildings when Donald Hoba graduated...
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  • Academic, activist and philanthropist - a trail-blazer with deep roots on Bainbridge Island
    Academic, activist and philanthropist - a trail-blazer with deep roots on Bainbridge Island
    In 2016, Sonya Quitslund, a Seattle University alumna and former adjunct professor who taught summer theology courses, made a generous...
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  • A Living Legacy of Friendship
    A Living Legacy of Friendship
    Marie Materi and Fred Brandauer grew-up a world apart, yet came together, according to Marie, for a purpose.
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  • Revered Relationships Inspire Giving
    Revered Relationships Inspire Giving
    Jeanne Marie Lee's ties to the Jesuits began early in life. Her father, who had attended Seattle College...
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  • A Fulfilling Career in Nursing Begun at SU
    A Fulfilling Career in Nursing Begun at SU
    At the age of 12, Joan decided that she wanted to become a nurse. Once she arrived at Seattle U, she knew that she had made the right decision.
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  • Linda and David Strout:  A Gift by Will in Gratitude for Their Legal Education
    Linda and David Strout: A Gift by Will in Gratitude for Their Legal Education
    Not ones to shy away from ambitious volunteer roles, Linda and David are serving as Co-chairs for the School of Law Legacy Society Committee.
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  • That's Amore!
    That's Amore!
    Joe and Mary met while students at Seattle U. They have each enjoyed successful careers and together have built a life of many passions.
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  • Finding Peace of Mind: Clearing Out A House Full of
    Finding Peace of Mind: Clearing Out A House Full of "Stuff"
    If you're an adult with aging parents, chances are you're probably going to be dealing with a house full of "stuff" in the near future...
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  • Helen '76 and Bob Batie decide to see the impact of their giving during their lifetimes
    Helen '76 and Bob Batie decide to see the impact of their giving during their lifetimes
    Helen received her MA in 1976 after four consecutive summers in the SU Master of Religious Education, or SUMORE program.
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  • Joan and John Watt include the law school they love in their estate plans
    Joan and John Watt include the law school they love in their estate plans
    Joan Duffy Watt was a neophyte staff member in the PR office at the University of Puget Sound when she was assigned to write a press release about a major university decision.
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  • Giving with Grace
    Giving with Grace
    Grace Munzer retired from the military with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
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  • Continuing the Jesuit Tradition with a Gift by Will
    Continuing the Jesuit Tradition with a Gift by Will
    Peter and Denise have been faithful supporters of Seattle University over the...
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  • Giving Back through a Gift by Will
    Giving Back through a Gift by Will
    Lydia Gonzales immigrated from the Philippines as a young woman and...
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  • Annuity Beneficiary
    Annuity Beneficiary
    When planning his estate, John Ruffo made sure to take care of three groups who had taken care of him: his high school, his church and Seattle University.
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  • Give it Twice Trust
    Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting the Wills Planner on her favorite charity's website, June, a surviving spouse, came across the idea of a Give it Twice Trust.
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  • A Generous Gift, A Reliable Return
    A Generous Gift, A Reliable Return
    It would be safe to say that Seattle University alumnus Don Hoba, '51 didn't follow a typical career path...
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  • The Seattle University Youth Initiative
    The Seattle University Youth Initiative
    When Carol Ann and Karl Barnickol, decided to support the nationally acclaimed Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI), they had very clear reasons for their generosity.
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  • Rates Have Increased for Charitable Gift Annuities
    Rates Have Increased for Charitable Gift Annuities
    Turn Assets into Lifetime Income
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  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock. It turned out to be a very wise decision.
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  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Lewis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially.
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  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
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  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities.
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  • Property Turns Into Income
    Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their children. After her spouse passed, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her home.
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  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work.
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  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was so pleased with the home, she decided to buy stock in the company that built it.
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  • Tax Benefits of a Current Gift
    Tax Benefits of a Current Gift
    Virgil Fassio worked in the newspaper business for three decades.
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  • A Lasting Legacy
    A Lasting Legacy
    Joe '67 and Terri '67 Gaffney met at Seattle University and remember many...
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  • Securing the Future for Seattle U
    Securing the Future for Seattle U
    Suzie Burke '63 has always been a true believer in a Seattle University education.
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  • Leading for the Future
    Leading for the Future
    Luke and Candice spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
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  • Providing for Our Children's Future
    Providing for Our Children's Future
    Joe and Kathy worked for years building their nest egg for retirement. They also want to provide for their children.
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  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small rural town, Patricia was ready to retire.
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  • A Veteran Caring for Fellow Veterans
    A Veteran Caring for Fellow Veterans
    Jerry Yahiro '66 decided to attend Seattle University after meeting late President, Fr. Bill Sullivan, on one of Fr. Sullivan's recruiting trips to Hawai'i. Jerry was among 40 students from Hawai'i when...
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  • A Generous Heart Staying Close to Home
    A Generous Heart Staying Close to Home
    It's hard to imagine there are many people who have been "closer" to Seattle University over the years than Bill Eisiminger...
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For more donor stories visit our Legacy Society Newsletter Archive.

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