1. Planned Giving
  2. Why We Give
  3. Dorothea Beckwith

A change-maker

Dorothea Beckwith

Dorothea Beckwith gives back to her favorite hospital by naming the Meridian Park Medical Foundation as the beneficiary of her IRA.

For more than 25 years, Dorothea Beckwith was there for families during some of their most worrisome days. As a volunteer in the intensive care unit at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center, she signed visitors in so they could be with their loved one. “I felt I could help people by being there for them; sometimes, I even cried with them,” she recalls.

Dorothea has also supported Legacy Meridian Park’s Breast Health Center as a member of the Women of Meridian Park. This philanthropic group supports women in the South Metro area who are courageously living with breast cancer by providing comfort items, post-operative garments and preventive care.

Dorothea’s years of service with Legacy Meridian Park gave her many good friends, as well as a strong affinity for her community hospital. “It’s just a very comfortable place to be,” she says. “I remember I told a doctor, ‘This is my favorite hospital,’ and he said, ‘It’s mine, too.’”

After her husband, Tom, passed away, Dorothea knew she needed to make a new will to plan for her and her children’s futures. “I think everybody should have a will because it relieves a lot of stress on your family,” she remarks.

Dorothea’s fondness for Legacy Meridian Park sparked her desire to make a meaningful gift as part of her estate plan. By naming the Meridian Park Medical Foundation as the beneficiary of her individual retirement account (IRA), she is leaving a lasting legacy. “Quite frankly, I think it’s a very good way to give,” she states.

IRAs and 401(k)s may be heavily taxed if they transfer to individuals other than a spouse or partner. However, if the funds are directed to a nonprofit, such as Legacy Health, income and estate taxes on the distribution may receive a state and federal estate tax consideration. Adding a charity as a beneficiary is free and does not require an attorney. Just contact your IRA plan administrator.

“Legacy Meridian Park is a very important part of our community,” Dorothea explains. “I think everyone who possibly can should consider helping the hospital care for the community.”