Our team understands the profound impact that a customized financial plan can have on a person’s life, but nobody has had as profound impact on us as Susan Tallmon.
Susan is a client of ours. She’s a special woman who spent her life as a dedicated cardiac sonographer for elderly patients. She came to us with a well-thought-out idea of what she wanted her retirement to look like eventually and had plans to retire to Sequim, Washington outside of Seattle and wanted to enjoy cruises in her retirement years.
As they say, though, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
An Unexpected Diagnosis
Though we carefully crafted her retirement plan to where she could have the retirement of which she’d dreamt, Susan received a terminal cancer diagnosis. She was now faced with the inevitable question of what she wanted to do with her time left – and she wasted no time in making a positive impact on our community.
With no children to pass her legacy along to, Susan turned her attention toward Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions, a sanctuary for senior pets. Their mission is to provide senior dogs and cats with a safe haven to ensure they live with comfort, compassion, and companionship in their golden years. It’s a cause for which Susan feels passionate, so she decided they would become the beneficiaries of her legacy.
Through careful planning over the years, Susan has the ability to leave a substantial part of her estate to this deserving organization.
A Tour – and an Impromptu Decision
We took Susan on a tour of the facility one day so she could get a firsthand look at the organization that would benefit from her legacy. A photo on the sanctuary’s “wish list” wall caught her eye: a water rehabilitation tank for dogs (similar to an underwater treadmill) that is beneficial for senior and overweight dogs to regain their strength.
She pulled me aside during the tour and asked if she had the financial capability to gift the water rehabilitation tank to the sanctuary now instead of waiting. Her eyes lit up as I told her that yes, she was certainly capable of getting this important equipment for the sanctuary. Without hesitation, she committed to paying for the equipment right away.
It was a poignant moment that spoke to not only Susan’s giving heart, but also the power of a comprehensive financial plan.
The machines are built to order, so it has taken months for it to be built, installed, and the staff properly trained in its use. The machine is now in place and Young at Heart is ready to unveil it at a special ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Ribbon Cutting was on April 12
It was a great event that was attended by board members, staff and friends. Susan cut the ribbon and was able to see the water tank in action. See the photos below by Embracing Grace Photography celebrating Susan’s amazing contribution to an organization that, like her, gives so selflessly.
