A Quiet Gift, A Lasting Impact, continued
May is Legacy Giving Month, a time to reflect on the lasting impact individuals can make in their community.
We recently sat down with Janice and Don Carscadden to learn more about Janice’s mother, Shirley Williams, and the thoughtful decision she made to provide a significant gift to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. Their story is one of quiet generosity, deep care for community, and a belief in making a difference where it matters most.
Shirley was sharp, practical, and deeply caring. She had a quick wit, a love of puzzles, and a creative spirit that showed up in the small details of everyday life. Each year, she would make handmade decorations for her family, many of which still hang on the tree today.
Family was at the centre of everything for Shirley. She valued connection, conversation, and time spent together. She was curious about people and had a natural way of making others feel at ease. Quietly confident and grounded, she was never one to seek attention.
Born in Regina and raised in the Vancouver area, Shirley spent most of her life with her husband Ron in Burnaby before they moved to the Saanich Peninsula later in life to be closer to family. Those years in Sidney brought something especially meaningful; the chance to spend more time together, and with family.
As they aged, Shirley and Ron came to appreciate the importance of having care nearby. Both Shirley and Ron experienced the Saanich Peninsula Hospital at different points in their lives. In her final days Shirley received care in the hospital’s palliative care unit. The presence of a community hospital close to home offered reassurance and comfort.
Healthcare had always been an area of interest for Shirley. Her mother had been a nurse, and Shirley herself worked in a medical services organization earlier in her life. She approached decisions thoughtfully and with a strong sense of practicality.
Later in life, as she reviewed her finances with her family, a conversation began to take shape. Having lived modestly and managed her affairs carefully, Shirley found herself in a position to make a meaningful choice. Rather than holding onto funds she no longer needed, she began to consider how she could make the greatest impact.
With the support of her family, she chose to leave a significant gift to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. It was a decision that felt right, both for her and for those closest to her.
True to her nature, Shirley was not interested in recognition. She preferred to keep her generosity private, focusing instead on the difference her gift could make for others. What mattered most was knowing she could help.
For her family, supporting that decision was natural. They recognized that directing the gift toward healthcare would allow it to benefit many people in the community, both now and in the future. Rather than dividing her giving across multiple causes, Shirley chose to focus her support where it could have the greatest impact, helping strengthen care close to home.
Her story also speaks to the value of having these conversations early. Making the decision during her lifetime allowed Shirley to feel confident in her choice and see the role her gift could play in supporting local healthcare.
Today, her legacy lives on not through recognition, but through impact, supporting patients, families, and healthcare teams across the Saanich Peninsula. Her story offers a powerful reminder that a thoughtful decision, made at the right time, can make a lasting difference.
If you have ever considered making a gift in your will or during your lifetime, Legacy Giving Month is a meaningful time to start the conversation.
To learn more about how you can support healthcare close to home through a legacy gift, visit sphf.ca or connect with our team for a confidential discussion.
“Shirley chose to focus her support where it could have the greatest impact, helping strengthen care close to home.”
