Barbara Clarke was Passionate about Helping Women

Do more than you thought possible through charitable giving and financial planning. From honoring a loved one to saving taxes to generating income for life, a planned gift lets you take care of you and yours while ensuring the vital future of Baystate Health.

Do more than you thought possible through charitable giving and financial planning. From honoring a loved one to saving taxes to generating income for life, a planned gift lets you take care of you and yours while ensuring the vital future of Baystate He

February 25, 2019

Thanks to a Legacy Tribute Gift, That Help Continues

Dr. Heather Z. Sankey, Ronald T. Burkman Endowed Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Barbara Clarke's husband, Arthur H. Clarke, ensured her values would be remembered by future generations by including a tribute gift to Baystate Health Foundation in his will to establish a permanent, living legacy, the Barbara M. Clarke Memorial Fund. His goal was to honor his wife and ensure lasting improvements for women’s health and well-being in our community.

While Barbara passed away 30 years ago, her husband’s thoughtful estate planning carries on her legacy of giving back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy. Each year, a portion of the value of the fund supports health-education initiatives to improve the health and well-being of women and continue the delivery of excellent care. The remainder of the fund stays invested to increase its value while providing a predictable, stable stream of income to support health education and care for future generations of women throughout our community.

"The ability to access, understand, communicate and use information to improve health is critical to the health of our community," says Dr. Heather Z. Sankey, Ronald T. Burkman Endowed Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Baystate Health and professor of OB/GYN for the University of Massachusetts Medical School at Baystate.

"We are so thankful to the family of Barbara M. Clarke for carrying on her legacy with an enduring gift of support for women's health education initiatives. This Memorial Fund has enabled us to educate women on key health issues, particularly sharing recommendations for preventive care and wellness. We see the results — women better able to make key decisions concerning their health and able to help other women do the same."

Want to explore how to honor a loved one with a legacy gift?

We’re here to help. Contact 413-794-7789 or Kylie.Johnson@BaystateHealth.org.