Donor Story
During a conversation in her self-described elegantly simple living room, Yvonne Gralak acknowledged with a smile, “I like to live in order and neatness, that’s one reason I was a good Sacristan.” Yvonne’s life experience and natural talents tell a beautiful story of faith that has led her to establish the Yvonne Gralak and Dorothy Chiodo Endowment for the benefit of Saint Joseph Cemetery in Force.
The few years Yvonne spent as a young adult “in the convent” while she considered permanent religious life with the Sisters of St. Joseph planted a seed that ultimately led to her plans for a legacy gift through the Catholic Foundation. With gratitude Yvonne shares that her college education was given to her through the SSJ Cadet program. She taught first in Catholic schools, recalling that her sponsor when teaching in Johnsonburg was Sister Catherine Manning. Interestingly, much later in her religious life, Sister Catherine became the first Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation when it was established in 2007.
Yvonne fondly recalls from her time in the convent Sister Consuela Quinn’s lessons and expectations that everything should be in its place, at the right time, clean and ready. “That’s me,” Yvonne smiles, sharing that “Sister Consuela always wanted me to clean her room because I knew how to do it.”
Yvonne’s life unfolded as a long-time public-school teacher and among the laity of the church. Her experience with the Sisters stayed with her. Yvonne has been a dedicated member of Saint Joseph Parish for a lifetime. Remarkably, she served as Sacristan at Saint Joe’s for over 33 years. With a natural tendency to keep things in order, Yvonne was well suited for this role. Presiding priests at Saint Joe’s could count on Yvonne in much the same way Sister Consuela did with everything in its place, at the right time, clean and ready.
“From the time I started working I knew I wanted to share my monetary blessings with the church,” Yvonne explains. Many years ago, after careful consideration of investment options at the time, she chose to buy a life insurance policy. In her mind she earmarked the parish as beneficiary of the policy. “I was going to just put the church in my will but then learned about purchase of an insurance policy as an option. I chose that,” she recalls. “It was a good investment and I’m glad I did it.”
Not long ago when one of her brothers passed away without having prepared a will, Yvonne experienced the importance of having one. She quickly got to work to bring order to her finances, to put things in place, to be ready.
Yvonne first learned about the Catholic Foundation through an ad in the Diocese of Erie Faith Magazine. “I read about endowments that help with the perpetual care of cemeteries,” she describes. She read with interest how cemetery endowments generate funds each year to help with the mowing and snow plowing at the cemeteries. In particular, she noted that through the Foundation the donor designates their cemetery as the only beneficiary of their donation. That was meaningful to Yvonne. After learning more about the Catholic Foundation she was encouraged and confident about this way of giving. Yvonne likes the idea that her gift won’t be used all at once, that it will be lasting, to help maintain her cemetery far into the future. “This is a gift that keeps on giving,” she says. “It’s good stewardship and I’m glad to know the endowment ensures that my gift won’t be used for something I wouldn’t want.”
As part of her estate plan Yvonne is realizing a meaningful charitable gift by assigning beneficiary status from her insurance policy to the Catholic Foundation to fund the cemetery endowment. Working with the Foundation team she was able to develop the plan she wanted without impacting her day-to-day living expenses. Planning this gift for the perpetual care of the cemetery is a natural extension of Yvonne’s life, bringing the peace of mind a donor designated endowment offers. “I did my time and shared my talent as Sacristan and now I am approaching stewardship of my treasure carefully,” says Yvonne.
On a stroll through Saint Joseph Cemetery Yvonne reflects, “Practically everyone I’ve known in my lifetime is buried here, resting in community.” She’s glad to know that the endowment she established will help keep the cemetery maintained, neat and orderly for all of them. Yvonne chose to name the endowment she established for her sister, Dorothy, and herself. Their headstones in the cemetery are just steps apart. “It’s nice to be remembered by name,” she says. Sharing about a time years ago when she needed help, Yvonne describes how Dorothy was there for her. They are close to each other in age, do most everything together and support each other. “I wanted her to be with me on the endowment, too,” Yvonne smiles.
When asked about the future Yvonne expresses concern. “Things are changing,” she shrugs, “possibly our parish will be closed. Yet the cemetery will always be there.” Yvonne is uplifted to be doing her share to help keep the cemetery maintained. With its setting on a hillside along the well-traveled Bennetts Valley Highway, Saint Joseph Cemetery is next door to the church and magnificently lit at night. Looking to the future Yvonne says, “I hope that beyond my lifetime the cemetery will be as pretty as it is today, to honor all who rest there.”
“This is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s good stewardship and I’m glad to know the endowment ensures that my gift won’t be used for something I wouldn’t want.”