A Family Legacy

The transformative services Northeast Arc provided to Ricky Tremblay meant so much to his sister Elaine that she left the organization a major bequest gift of over $650,000.

"My parents devoted their lives to Ricky, and so did I, I suppose. Why not remember the Northeast Arc in my will, in honor of Ricky?" Elaine Tremblay said in announcing her gift plan several years before her death in 2015.

In her last years, Elaine shared her family's passion for Northeast Arc in hopes of inspiring others to create similar legacies. Elaine and Ricky's parents, Vern and Margaret Tremblay, were early supporters of the Arc. Vern was an active member of the Board of Directors and Margaret volunteered for Heritage Industries, the Arc's employment program, in which Ricky participated. Ricky earned a paycheck packaging medical supplies. He loved wrestling, bowling and television, and he always had a girlfriend. When Vern passed away in 1993, Elaine took over responsibility for driving Ricky to work each day.

"I loved spending that time with him. He was just a beautiful human being. If he heard me gossiping, he would call me on it, saying "Elaine, everybody's different,'" she recalled.

Elaine credited Ricky for inspiring her to become a nurse. She worked for Northeast Arc's Clinical Services program which specializes in continuous care nursing services for children with complex medical needs. After her parents and Ricky passed away, Elaine continued to be involved with the Arc, participating in events, and contributing to the Annual Fund. When Northeast Arc announced plans to launch a Planned Giving Program, Elaine shared her plans to remember the Northeast Arc in her will.

"Because of what you people do. You don't hear on TV about the good stuff that's going on, how many lives you people touch. It's really an honor for me to recognize your staff in this way," said Elaine. Elaine was deeply involved in the "good stuff" going on in the world.

Elaine's legacy of caring will continue through the years as her gift is invested to ensure the long-term sustainability of the services she so valued.

The Northeast Arc is forming a Legacy Society to recognize people who have remembered the organization in estate plans. For more information, please contact Susan Ring Brown at 978-924-5211.