As life often proves, it is the unexpected gift that has the most meaningful impact. Last Friday, while the THC family was celebrating at our annual holiday party, we received an unexpected, $515,000 bequest from long-time Christ Lutheran Church member, Marilyn (Lynn) Oberle.

Oberle, who died in 2013, was a Boston native who earned degrees in science from Boston’s Simmons College and the University of Connecticut. When her profession led her to a federal position in Washington, DC in 1956, Lynn found her spiritual home at Christ Lutheran Church, a founding partner of THC and our next-door neighbor. THC is grateful that our quarter-century relationship with Christ Lutheran continues to prosper in new and significant ways.

Of the bequest, THC CEO Phil Hecht said, “I knew Lynn Oberle well, and whenever she was in Washington, she talked to me about THC’s work. But, I had no idea she planned such a magnificent gift.  We will honor her memory with the work that her gift enables us to undertake.”

THC encourages donors to prepare wills and estate plans to ensure their wishes for the people and interests they care most about are fulfilled. Consulting your attorney or an estate planner is the best way to begin this process. Contact Corey Whisman, Grants Manager, at 202-291-5535, ext. 407, or cwhisman@thcdc.org for more information.