A Final Act of Generosity

By Jennifer Kiscadden-Ziegler (Jane Kiscadden's niece)

For Jane R. Kiscadden, one piece of important advice led her down a path of serving others and making a difference for patients in need. When Jane was young, her mother unexpectedly passed away, but she was fortunate to find a role model in a friend of her father's who told her: The best way to make your way in life is to get a good education. Jane took this to heart, pursued her passion for helping others and lived a fulfilling and impactful life until her passing in 2020.

After graduating from high school, Jane attended St. Luke's School of Nursing and earned her degree in 1946. She worked for several other hospitals in the area.

Jane always shared that her years at St. Luke's School of Nursing were life-changing. She was bright, and enjoyed learning and working with others. Living away from home for the first time, she learned to be independent and self-sufficient. She met other women who became lifelong friends. After she graduated, she built a career, not just a job. For this she was grateful, and she never forgot what St. Luke's School of Nursing gave her—a bright outlook on life and a chance to help others.

She supported her alma mater throughout her lifetime and beyond. She chose to make St. Luke's School of Nursing one of the beneficiaries of her estate plan, and her generous gift will be used to provide scholarships to deserving students as they, too, pursue their passion for helping future generations.

Just months before her passing, Jane spoke with me and my husband, Jason, who is a financial services professional. Jane made it very clear that meaningful work and charitable contributions were dear to her heart and had been throughout her life, as she regularly supported causes and organizations that she believed in. She wanted this good work to continue, and she wanted to be a part of it—even after her passing. Jason ultimately helped structure her estate so that her legacy of generosity could live on.

Jane was a shining light to many organizations that she believed in. Naming them as beneficiaries in her estate plan was a final act of generosity and a significant part of how she will be remembered. As we reflected on the stories that were shared with us about Jane and her selfless nature, it prompted our own self-reflection. We, too, are asking ourselves: "When I am gone, did my life have meaning? Did I make a difference? Were my actions of a genuine nature because I was driven to leave this world a better place than I found it?"

For Jane, the answer to these questions is a resounding yes. She was the type of person we should all strive to be.